NYC Divorce Lawyers

Whether you are the divorce petitioner or respondent doesn’t make a difference as the divorce progresses because both parties get a say in how to handle the divorce. The biggest difference is that you can take more time to write down your expectations for the divorce if you are the one who files for it first.

Absolutely not. Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP, is one of the few New York City divorce and family law firms that offers all three options for pursuing a divorce: litigation, mediation, and collaborative law. For families that prioritize minimizing conflict, mediation or collaborative law may be the more appropriate choice. Even litigation does not necessarily mean a fight – as our attorneys always strive to minimize conflict when possible – but we are prepared to battle if necessary. In other words, client and lawyer can decide together the best way to approach a case.

The amount of time it takes to finish a marital dissolution and actually get the parties divorced can vary considerably. If the parties are on relatively good terms and intend on working together to reach an agreement, this can go a long way toward shortening the process. On the other hand, a contentious divorce in which many issues must be litigated before a court can extend the process. If timing is a concern, bring it up with your attorney when you first meet. When time is of the essence, you and your attorney can work together to try to reach a conclusion as soon as possible, while still achieving an equitable resolution.

Like the time it takes to get divorced, the answer to this question will vary considerably from divorce to divorce. At Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP, we have excellent attorneys that run the gamut both in terms of cost and experience. For example, we have younger associates with a few years of practice under their belts who are nonetheless excellent litigators, mediators, and collaborative attorneys, but are lower in cost. Our firm also features true giants of the matrimonial law world who have been practicing in this area for upwards of 40 years – these attorneys will be more expensive. Our attorneys and support staff work with clients individually to determine what is needed for their particular matter, and we always take cost into consideration.

A legal separation is different from a divorce in that it doesn’t end your marriage officially. It can include many of the same provisions as a divorce like child custody arrangements and property division agreements, but it won’t end the marriage. Some people see legal separation as a “trial divorce” to see if they really want to get divorced later or not.

New York does not require you to enter marriage counseling before filing for a divorce. In some cases, though, the court might require you to enter divorce meditation before heading right to litigation.

A divorce occurs when the court decides how to end a marriage. During marriage dissolution, both spouses decide how to end a marriage without the direct input of a judge. Both are often referred to as a divorce in many contexts, though.

This is an excellent question and our attorneys always appreciate a savvy client who understands that the divorce process can begin even before an action is filed. Just remember that how you start a divorce can often dictate how you end the divorce. In terms of both finances and child custody, a concerned spouse can do much to minimize any future difficulties. In part, this involves adjusting behavior to present your case in the best light to the court.