Divorce Attorney in New York

90 Years of Combined Legal Experience for Your New York Divorce

Ending a marriage in New York City can affect every part of your life at once, from where you live to how often you see your children. You may be worried about making a wrong move, signing something you later regret, or walking into a New York courtroom without a clear plan. At Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos, we build personalized strategies for negotiation, mediation, or litigation based on each client’s family circumstances and goals.

Many people contact us when they are thinking about separation, have just been served divorce papers, or feel that conflict about children or finances is starting to grow. We listen first, then explain what divorce here typically involves, including how it may affect your children, your home, and your long-term financial stability. Our attorneys focus on divorce and family law across New York City and nearby counties, so we understand how local courts approach these issues and what that can mean for you.

Worried about property division or custody? Our experienced New York divorce attorneys can advocate for your rights. Call (855) 773-1166 or contact Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos today!

Why Families Choose Law Offices of Andreas Vasilatos for Their Divorce in New York

Our attorneys bring a combined 90 years of legal experience to client-centered representation tailored to your family, finances, and future. We guide you through the divorce process with clear communication and a strategy built around your goals.

Our clients choose our firm for:

• Focused Experience in Family Law: Founded in 2006, our firm is dedicated exclusively to divorce and family law. This focus gives our attorneys familiarity with how New York courts handle custody, equitable distribution, and support issues.
• Strategy Built Around Your Priorities: We take time to understand what matters most to you, whether that means protecting your relationship with your children, preserving a family home, planning for retirement, or addressing business interests. Your strategy is tailored to your family’s dynamics, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Clear and Ongoing Communication: Transparency is central to how we practice. We explain the process, timelines, and potential outcomes, and provide regular updates so you aren’t left wondering about your case. When new developments arise, we discuss options and next steps with you.
• Flexible Approach to Resolution: Our divorce and family law attorneys are experienced in negotiation, mediation, and litigation, allowing us to adjust our approach as your situation evolves. We focus on resolving matters efficiently and amicably when possible, while remaining prepared to advocate for you in court when needed.

How Divorce Works in New York

Divorce actions in New York are filed in the New York Supreme Court, not Family Court. A case typically begins when one spouse files a summons with notice or a summons and complaint, and the other spouse must be formally served. Before filing, New York’s residency requirements must be satisfied, and the grounds for divorce must be established. The most commonly used ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage for at least six months, which is New York’s no-fault basis. Under this ground, a judgment of divorce can’t be entered until all economic and parenting issues are resolved or decided by the court.

Early in the case, temporary matters may be addressed, such as:

• Use of the marital home
• Payment of household expenses
• Temporary parenting time arrangements
• Interim support

From there, both sides typically exchange financial information covering income, assets, and debts. This disclosure forms the basis for discussions about property division and support. Many cases involve negotiations between the spouses and their attorneys, sometimes with the assistance of mediation or court-supervised conferences. If agreements are reached on all issues, they’re generally incorporated into a written settlement that is submitted to the court for a judgment of divorce.

When parties can’t resolve everything through agreement, the court can hold hearings or a trial to decide disputed issues such as custody, equitable distribution, or spousal support. The time a case takes often depends on factors such as the complexity of assets, the level of conflict, and the court’s schedule. Throughout this process, our role is to help you understand each stage, prepare you for court appearances, and work with you on strategies to move your case forward.

Child Custody, Parenting Time, & Support in New York City

For many parents, the most important concern in divorce is how it will affect their children. In New York, custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child, with courts considering factors such as each parent’s involvement, the child’s needs, and the parents’ ability to cooperate.

Legal custody involves decision-making about education, medical care, and other major issues, while physical custody and parenting time determine where the child lives and how time is shared. In a city setting, practical concerns like school districts, commute times, and coordinating schedules across boroughs or states often play a role.

Child support is generally calculated using state guidelines based on parental income and the number of children, with possible adjustments for expenses such as childcare, health care, or education. Parenting time arrangements can affect support, making it important to evaluate both together.

Our divorce attorneys in New York City help parents create custody and parenting plans that reflect their child’s needs, including cases involving relocation or cross-border family dynamics. Our attorneys have experience with interstate and international custody matters, which can raise additional jurisdictional and logistical considerations.

Dividing Property & Addressing Spousal Support in New York City

Divorce affects not only where you live but also how your financial life will look in the years ahead. New York follows an equitable distribution framework, which generally means that marital property is divided in a way that the court considers fair, though not necessarily equal. Separate property, such as certain assets owned before the marriage or some inheritances, may be treated differently depending on how those assets were maintained or used during the marriage.

Marital property can include a wide range of assets and obligations. These may involve apartments or co-ops, retirement accounts, investment portfolios, business interests, and different forms of debt. In New York City, questions about how to handle a shared residence or lease can be especially pressing, and it’s important to think about both legal rights and practical realities, such as affordability and school zones.

Spousal support, sometimes called maintenance, can arise during and after a divorce. New York courts typically apply statutory guidelines when calculating temporary maintenance while a case is pending, and may consider various factors when deciding whether to award longer-term support. These factors can include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, and contributions that aren’t purely financial, such as childcare or support of a spouse’s career.

We work with clients to understand their financial picture, evaluate settlement options, and prepare for negotiations or court. We explain how proposed terms may affect assets, obligations, and long-term stability so clients can make decisions aligned with their goals.

Mediation, Negotiation, & Litigation in New York Divorce

Your goals and the dynamics between you and your spouse can influence the right approach to resolving your case. Many families are interested in minimizing conflict and cost, particularly when children are involved. In these situations, tools like mediation and structured negotiations can help spouses reach agreements without leaving every disputed issue to a judge.

In mediation, a neutral professional helps both spouses discuss issues such as property division, custody, and support. When mediation is appropriate, it can give you more control over the outcome and may reduce time in court. Our attorneys help clients prepare for mediation, understand proposed terms, and consider what provisions should be included to make an agreement clear and workable. Any settlement agreement should address all required financial and parenting issues before it’s submitted for final approval.

Not every case is suitable for mediation. Situations involving significant power imbalances, lack of information about assets, or serious safety concerns may require a different approach. In those matters, we focus on thorough preparation, strategic negotiation, and, when needed, presenting your case to the court. Our attorneys represent clients in conferences, hearings, and trials, presenting the financial, parenting, or safety issues that require court action.