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New York’s No-Fault Divorce Option May Reduce the Cost of Divorce

July 18, 2016

The Internet has put a wealth of information at individuals’ fingertips. From online informational resources to websites that allow individuals to file their taxes or submit legal paperwork, there is a vast amount that can be accomplished.

However, the ease at finding answers online should not create a false sense of confidence when it comes to divorce. Indeed, there is simply no substitute for an attorney. An attorney’s experienced eye can review proposed settlement agreements for fairness, looking for any overlooked issues.

Couples that want to cut down on legal fees during their divorce may wonder how that goal is compatible with New York state law, which historically required allegations of fault. The state legislature recently passed a law allowing for no-fault divorce. Under either approach, however, the biggest impact really comes down to how much time is spent in court.

To the extent that couples can negotiate and reach agreements on their own, a lawyer can prepare proposals and simply submit them to the court for approval. If one party is not unreasonably prejudiced by a proposed agreement, a court may be likely to approve it.

Our law firm has experience helping clients with a no-fault divorce proceeding in New York. For couples that have had irreconcilable differences for at least six months, this approach may be the most streamlined. Couples in an uncontested divorce should attempt to reach agreement on property division, spousal maintenance, and child custody arrangements.

Source: FindLaw, “Reasons to Hire an Experienced Family Law Attorney,” copyright 2016, Thomson Reuters