Divorce Lawyer Westchester County NY

How Our Experienced New York Divorce Lawyers Can Help

For a contested divorce, things are a little more difficult, and you’ll definitely need a lawyer.

There are countless steps, including:

• Initiating the divorce, or initial filing.
• Serving papers. This has to be done by an official third party, like an attorney.
• Responding – the spouse who is served must either accept the divorce or contest it.
• Submitting a Request for Judicial Intervention, or RDI, involves the courts in the divorce.
• Discussing pre-trial compromises during a preliminary conference happens before court.
• Undergoing discovery. In this step, your lawyers will build your case and prepare for trial.
• Settling the divorce in court through disposition. This is the trial phase and may take a long time. It’s where you’ll figure out issues like property division, spousal and child support, and custody and visitation.

Our lawyers at Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law are the legal team you want on your side. We will help you navigate difficult decisions and fight for your interests with passion and dedication. Get the trusted guidance you need today.

Family Law Court & the “Best Interest” of the Child

In contested divorces involving children, the New York divorce court will make its decisions based on what is in the best interests of the children.

Here are some of the factors that the Family Law Court will take into consideration when deciding child custody, visitation, and support:

• Primary Caretaker – Which parent was the primary caretaker of the child(ren) before the divorce?
• Stability – If the children have already been living with one parent before the divorce, then the Court will take the effects of change into consideration.
• Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment – The Court will look to place the children in the healthiest possible home environment with (a) parent(s) who will care for them.
• Child Care – Priority is often given to the parent who can provide the best childcare arrangements, especially in cases where both parents work.
• Education – The Court will take into consideration the quality of the educational opportunities that are available near each parent’s residence.
• Finances – The custodial parent must be able to financially support the children.
• Drug/Alcohol Use – A history of drug and/or alcohol abuse will have a negative effect on a parent’s ability to obtain custody.
• Mental Health – A history of mental illness or instability can have a negative effect on a parent’s ability to obtain custody.
• Physical Health – Custodial parents must be physically capable of caring for their children and for the family as a whole.
• Location of Siblings – The Court often seeks to keep siblings together, so the location of any siblings or half-siblings can play a large part in the Court’s custody decision.
• Child’s Preference – The age of the child is a factor in this, as well as the Court’s views on the child’s ability to make their own decisions. The closer the child is to 18 years old, the more weight their preference will have.

The Effects of Divorce on Children

We have all heard stories of children who have grown up in broken homes, traumatized by their parents' ugly divorce. We at Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law seek to offer you proper guidance and care through the divorce process so that your children can remain relatively unchanged by this major transition.

Consider the following tips in preventing any negative effects of divorce on your children:

• Anxiety, Stress, or Distrust – Don’t keep the divorce a secret, and make sure you are as honest as possible about the entire process. Keeping your child from his or her other parent is a surefire way to generate a lot of anxiety and distrust in your child.
• Low Self-Esteem – If your child worries the divorce is because of his or her presence, they will likely grow up feeling very self-conscious and unloved. Make sure you both stress the fact that this is happening in the hopes of creating a positive future, not because either of you doesn’t love your child.
• Trouble with Future Relationships/Behavioral & Social Problems – These issues can be prevented by making sure both you and your future ex-spouse remain constant in your child’s life. Nothing is worse than abandonment—make sure neither of you takes that route, no matter how much you two may dislike each other.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in NY?

This answer will largely depend on the circumstances.

These circumstances may include:

• Children – if minor children are in the picture, then custody and support will have to be addressed. These can be complex issues that cause a divorce to be extended.
• Mediation – if you and your spouse decide on mediation, this can lessen the duration. This is because mediation provides an environment where people can amicably resolve differences.
• Large Assets/Debts – If assets such as retirement benefits or real estate investments are being disputed, the divorce process can increase in length and cost. This applies to debts as well.

How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in NY?

On average, a contested divorce in New York will take anywhere from 9-12 months. Of course, any divorce can take longer depending on the contested issues. High-asset divorces that are contested can take years to complete, as well as cases that involve real estate, businesses, and heavy amounts of debt. Having these valued by an appraiser can extend the process. While there is no formal waiting period in New York, contested divorces will almost always be longer than uncontested.

Why You Need a Westchester County Divorce Lawyer

The divorce process in NYS can be one of the most stressful and traumatic experiences a person will face. Considering the amount of time, energy, and effort that goes into building a marriage and a family, it's understandable that breaking up can be an extremely emotional and devastating experience for all parties involved.

While divorce may be the best solution for your situation, it can still be a highly volatile process. For this reason, it's absolutely critical to enlist the services of a seasoned divorce attorney. Call our divorce attorneys in Westchester to find out what help we can offer as you navigate a marital dissolution.

Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law has been in private practice for more than 40 years. We have helped countless individuals in White Plains, Westchester County, Long Island, and the surrounding areas reach successful outcomes in their divorces. Let us help you, too!

Call (914) 873-4410 Today for the Help You Need

At Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law, our Westchester divorce attorneys can handle all types of NYS divorce cases and walk with you through each step. No matter how amicable your divorce may appear at the beginning, divorce proceedings are rarely predictable and neither is the behavior of the other spouse. Therefore, it is critical that you seek out your own legal representation as soon as possible.

Attorney Andrea Friedman desires to use her experience and credentials to fight for clients throughout Westchester County. Our attorneys are caring and compassionate and will always look out for your best interest through the legal process; however, should matters take a turn for the worse, we will zealously stand up for your rights while pursuing your objectives at all times.

Contact a Divorce Lawyer in Westchester County. Call Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law! Give us a call today.