As a psychologically-trained divorce attorney/mediator I get lots of questions
about divorce. If you are thinking of going through a divorce here is
some information that will help you.
Who can file for divorce in the State of New York?
Any legally married person who meets the state’s residency requirements
and has valid grounds for divorce can commence an action for divorce in
New York State.
What are New York’s residency requirements/How do I meet New York’s
residency requirements?
You will meet New York’s residency requirements if:
Either you or your spouse have been a resident of New York State for a
continuous period of at least two years prior to the start of the action; or
Either you or your spouse have been a resident of New York State for a
continuous period of at least one year prior to the start of an action,
and is a resident of the state at the time the action is commenced, and
you either 1) were married in
New York State or 2) lived together as husband and wife in New York State; or
Either you or your spouse have been a resident of New York State for a
continuous period of at least one year prior to the start of an action
and the grounds for divorce occurred in New York State; or
The grounds for divorce occurred in New York State and both you and your
spouse are New York residents at the time the action is started.
How is a divorce action started?
A divorce action is to be commenced in New York State Supreme Court, and
is properly brought within the county where either you or your spouse reside.
The action is commenced with the purchase of an index number (for which
the fee is currently $210.00) and the filing of either a 1) summons with
Notice, or 2) Summons and Verified Complaint (together with required notices
pertaining to health care insurance and certain automatic orders) with
the County Clerk’s office.
The spouse who starts the action (who is designated the “plaintiff”
in the action) must then arrange for the other spouse (who is designated
as the “defendant” in the action) to be personally served
with the divorce papers which were filed with the Court within 120 days
of the start of the action.
For this reason, it is advisable that the plaintiff determine the defendant’s
location for purposes of service prior to starting an action. Once a matrimonial
action is commenced, certain automatic orders immediately become effective
which prohibit both parties from transferring assets, incurring unreasonable
debts, or making changes to insurance coverage while the divorce case
is pending.
How is the defendant served?
The plaintiff cannot serve the defendant himself or herself. He or she
must arrange for another person, who is over the age of 18 and unrelated
to the case, to make personal service on the defendant. Unless otherwise
directed by the Court, personal service requires personal/hand delivery.
If the defendant resides out-of-state, it is preferable to have service
made by a New York resident, although this might be costly. If a someone
who is not a New York State resident serves the defendant outside of the
state, that person must generally be a qualified attorney, solicitor or
the equivalent in that other state or nation, or otherwise authorized
to serve papers pursuant to the laws of that state or nation. After making
service, the server of the papers must complete a notarized affidavit
which the plaintiff must file with the Court as proof of service.
Once service has been properly made upon the defendant, the Court may exercise
jurisdiction
(or authority) over the defendant.
What if I am served with divorce papers?
Depending on how you were served, you may have only twenty days to respond.
If you do not respond, your spouse will get a divorce and could receive
everything they are asking for in the court papers. By doing nothing,
you will only be divorced faster. You need to contact an attorney to respond
to the Summons.
What are grounds?
A ground is an acceptable legal reason for divorce. In New York State,
there are six fault grounds and 1 “no fault” ground which
may form the basis for divorce under New York State law.
They are:
Irretrievable Breakdown in Relationship (No-Fault)
Either party must state under oath that the marriage has broken down irretrievably
for a period of at least six months. A divorce can be granted on this
ground only if all other issues in the action, both economic and non-economic,
have either been resolved.
Cruel and Inhuman Treatment:
The spouse who files for divorce under this ground must show that the other
spouse has been physically, verbally or emotionally abusive to him or
her within the immediately past five years, such that it would be unsafe
and improper for the plaintiff to continue living with him or her. Proof
of specific acts of cruelty are required; a general inability to get along
will not rise to the level of cruelty.
Abandonment:
In order to file for divorce under abandonment, the spouse who files for
divorce must be able to show that his or her spouse willingly and voluntarily
abandoned him or her for a period of at least one or more years without
any apparent intent to return. A mutually agreed upon separation does
not qualify as abandonment.
Constructive Abandonment:
This ground can be used where the plaintiff’s spouse has has refused
to engage in sexual intercourse with the plaintiff for a period of one
year or more, without justification or any preventative physical condition.
This ground might also be appropriate where the plaintiff’s spouse
has excluded the plaintiff from the marital home for a year or more without
just cause. This ground is not appropriate where exclusion from the marital
home is based on an order or protection or other court order.
Three Consecutive Years of Imprisonment:
This ground will apply if the plaintiff’s spouse has been incarcerated
for a period of three or more consecutive years during the marriage. Use
of this ground requires that the spouse’s incarceration occurred
after the marriage; a plaintiff cannot use this ground if the marriage
occurred after his or her spouse’s incarceration.
Adultery:
For this ground, the plaintiff must be able to show that the other spouse
voluntarily engaged in adultery (a sexual relationship with another person)
during the marriage. This ground is not frequently used due to the difficulty
of obtaining acceptable proof (which must come from someone other than
the plaintiff or his or her spouse).
If you would like to learn more about the divorce process or have questions, call me.
Divorce is complex but it doesn’t have to be intimidating.I can help
you understand and successfully navigate the process.
Having served NYC for over 35 years as a divorce attorney and mediator,
I can tell you a divorce doesn’t have to be daunting!
All our highly informative 1 Hour Consultations are FREE!
All consultations and mediation sessions areconveniently available virtually.
I look forward to speaking with you and helping you through your divorce process!
Warm regards,
Lois
Call New York Divorce Lawyer Lois Brenner to learn more about the divorce
process and how you can get started!
Call now to schedule your free consultation. 212.734.1551.
An immediate consultation is possible upon request!