Sometimes married couples find themselves in a situation where their marriage is no longer working and it is not beneficial for them to stay together. When divorce is on the table, it is essential for both parties to consider their legal options and retain the services of an experienced divorce attorney that can effectively represent them through each step of the process. Getting divorced is, of course, a very complicated and emotional matter. It’s not easy to separate the life that a couple has woven together over the years. With that said, some divorces are more complex than others. Regardless, they all have to start the same way in New York.
First, the parties must fulfill the residency requirement in an effort to establish jurisdiction over the case. The residency requirement can be fulfilled if:
- One or both parties have lived in the state continuously for at least two years
- One or both parties have lived in the state in the year before the divorce case and the couple either got married in NY, lived in NY as a married couple, or the grounds for divorce happened in NY.
- Both are residents at the time they are filing for divorce.
After that, the party filing will have to cite grounds for divorce. Many people tend to cite no-fault because it allows the process to begin without issue but others may choose from the following fault grounds:
- Adultery
- Extreme cruelty
- Abandonment for at least one year
- Institutionalization
- Imprisonment
If you need legal assistance filing for divorce, contact our firm today.
Matters of divorce and family law should be navigated with the guidance of an experienced attorney. If you need strong legal representation regarding matters of divorce, family law, and estate law, contact the Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. to schedule a consultation today.