New York City and New Jersey Divorce Attorney
New York City and New Jersey Divorce and Spousal Maintenance Attorney | Helping You Move Forward
When a couple makes the decision to legally separate or divorce, it can be a stressful and emotional time for everyone involved. Not only is the relationship ending, but you may have to deal with division of property, child custody, enforcement of prenuptial agreements, not to mention any post-divorce disputes or high-conflict divorces. You’ll need a skilled and experienced attorney to help ensure you’re getting the fairest and fiercest representation possible.
Do you need a lawyer to get divorced in New York?
If two parties amicably agree to divorce, it’s known as an “uncontested divorce” in New York State. Even if you and your soon-to-be-ex are friendly and on good terms, it’s still a very good idea to hire an attorney to represent you in the proceedings. You can technically file for an uncontested divorce yourself, but it’s very complicated and time consuming. There are many, many forms to fill out and file, and you’ll also have to manage serving the case and getting on the court calendar yourself.
Most people who see how much complicated work even an uncontested divorce takes end up hiring a divorce attorney. An attorney can make sure that your legal rights are protected and can assist you with any issues that may arise throughout the course of your divorce. Remember, even in an amicable, uncontested divorce, the issues of division of marital assets, spousal maintenance, child support, and child custody must be negotiated: unfortunately, we’ve seen once-friendly divorces turn less friendly when these tricky topics come up. It’s important to have legal representation be on your side to negotiate and fight for your best interests.
Do I have to pay alimony/am I entitled to alimony?
Alimony is now known in New York as “spousal maintenance.” It’s the legal term for financial support one partner may be required to pay the former partner after a divorce.
When it comes to whether spousal maintenance is required, how much you may owe, and how long you may have to pay it for, the answer is, “it depends.” Courts usually award spousal maintenance for a set period, not for life (though they may still award it for life in some cases). There’s a formula that New York State developed that helped make determining the amount paid for spousal maintenance a little easier; courts also take a number of other factors into account. Spousal maintenance is awarded in addition to any child support payment.
Unsurprisingly, spousal maintenance can be a significant source of disagreement on both sides in a divorce case. It’s important to have an experienced divorce attorney on your side to negotiate your position and ensure you’re getting fair representation.
What about Child Support and Child Custody?
The Law Office of Sharon K. Covino also specializes in child support, visitation, and custody, and can represent you in these issues during your divorce. Click here to learn more.
The Law Office of Sharon K. Covino practices in Staten Island, Queens, New Jersey, and New York City, and focuses on Divorce and Spousal Maintenance Law, including:
Equitable Distribution
Spousal Maintenance
Division of Assets
Separation Agreement
Dissolution of Marriage
Uncontested Divorce
Divorce and Child Custody
About Sharon K. Covino
Sharon K. Covino is a dedicated and fierce advocate for her clients. She founded The Law Office of Sharon K. Covino with the belief that in the most difficult times of their lives, such as divorce or custody cases, clients deserve steadfast advocacy and supportive legal counsel.
Ms. Covino is a former prosecutor who spent over five years at the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office. During her time at the District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Covino appeared in Criminal Court, Supreme Court, Family Court, and frequently appeared in Matrimonial Court working closely with the Administration for Children’s Services as well as with fellow attorneys to resolve cases including violations of orders of protection, family offense petitions, and other cases involving allegations of domestic violence and child endangerment. She has acquired a wealth of knowledge in handling serious felonies and has established a reputation as a knowledgeable, ethical, and trustworthy attorney.
Ms. Covino is a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in both the New York City criminal and family court system. She focuses on aggressive options for her clients’ cases, while offering them compassionate support during a stressful and difficult time. To get in touch with The Law Office of Sharon K. Covino for a consultation, contact us here.
“Your divorce attorney has to be someone you trust. You’ll be sharing information about your finances and assets with them to help determine the distribution of marital property, and you’re trusting them with defending the best interests of your children in court. At The Law Office of Sharon K. Covino, we take these responsibilities seriously, and will always advocate fiercely for our clients.”
— Sharon K. Covino
What to Expect When You Hire an Attorney for Your Divorce or Spousal Maintenance Case
A divorce attorney will go over your finances and assets with you and conduct and extensive intake session in order to gather necessary information to determine distribution of marital property and custody. For this reason, it is important to hire someone you trust.
Your attorney will also explain to you the standard for who is awarded custody in New York State. They should go through the factors a court looks at to determine where a child should be as well as the amount of child support the non-custodial parent can be expected to pay.
Every family and every case is different which is why it’s important that you hire the right attorney that will dedicate not only their resources to your case, but the time to get to know you and your family’s needs in order to make the best argument for your children in court.
If you’re in need of a New York City or New Jersey Divorce or Spousal Maintenance Attorney, get in touch with The Law Office of Sharon K. Covino.