Our firm handles all aspects of New York matrimonial law, including:
- Divorce, separation, annulment, and equitable division of property
- Child support and alimony
- Child custody disputes and visitation agreements
- Establishment of paternity (for child support or for visitation rights)
- Modifications of custody or child support, and enforcement actions
- Restraining orders
Divorce and family law issues can become very complicated. We will help you understand your legal rights with respect to these issues and provide guidance on how to proceed. While we can litigate whenever necessary, litigation can become very lengthy and very costly, both financially and emotionally. It can also be harmful for children who are caught in the middle of the parents' disagreements. We will make every attempt to keep the proceedings professional and rational, and attempt to reach a reasonable conclusion without the need for extensive court proceedings and protracted battles. But, if they are necessary, we will stand with you all the way.
If you have been served with suit papers by your spouse, whether a petition or a summons and complaint, it is essential that you contact us immediately to discuss your rights. New York law provides specific time limitations in which responses must be submitted to these papers. Failure to provide a timely response could result in a default judgment being entered against you and your spouse automatically obtaining whatever relief has been requested.
Uncontested Divorces - Collaborative Divorces - Divorce Mediation
New York does have a simplified procedure for uncontested divorces. Depending upon the county in which the divorce is sought, the divorce can be granted within 2 weeks after the papers are submitted to the Court. We will help you understand your legal rights and obligations in an unconrtested divorce, complete the paperwork for you, submit it to the Court, answer questions from the Court, and obtain the judgment of divorce after it has been granted.
We recognize that many people attempt to complete these forms without using an attorney. However, while these forms seem simple, there are many areas on those forms which, if not completely understood and completed correctly, could result in your losing certain rights. Even if you only want someone to review the forms you have already completed and help you understand what rights you have obtained or possibly given away, we can help you.
Uncontested means that all issues are uncontested; including alimony, child support, child custody, visitiation, equitable distribution, distribution of assets of the marriage, who will pay for health insurance and college expenses, who can live in the marital home and when it must be sold, what happens to retirement funds, etcetera. If any of these areas are contested, it is not an uncontested divorce.
That does not mean you need to file a lawsuit to resolve these issues. Through Divorce Mediation, also referred to as Collaborative Divorce, we can work with both parties to get to the core issues in the disputed areas and resolve that dispute in a way that is optimal for all, including the children. When necessary, we can refer you to a licensed mental health practicioner, who can help get to the emotional issues which may stand in the way of resolving the dispute. Through this process, you can avoid the time, expense and frustration which unfortunately accompanies any litigation.
Please contact the offices of Norman M. Block, P.C. to discuss your specific situation and how we can help you resolve it.
| Divorce, Matrimonial and Family Law | 245 Saw Mill River Road |