how to get a divorce in ny without a lawyer

by Marcelina Hermiston Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 6 min read

Can you get divorced without a lawyer in New York?

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced? Because divorce law can be complicated, you should meet with a lawyer — even if you think your divorce will be uncontested. If you and your spouse have resolved all financial and parenting issues, and you do not have a lawyer, you can use the free Uncontested Divorce Forms Packet.

How can I get a quick divorce in NY?

In your uncontested divorce, the easiest way to speed your divorce through the court is for the defendant to waive service by signing an Affidavit of Defendant. If your spouse refuses to sign the affidavit, you will have to hire a process server to deliver a copy of the summons and complaint.

How much does it cost to file a divorce in NY?

The index fee for divorce in NY is $210. The minimum filing fee for uncontested divorce in NY is $335, which includes the index fee. For contested divorces, the attorney fees, court fees, and costs of mediation or litigation can add up to much more – even tens of thousands of dollars.Feb 16, 2018

How long does it take to get an uncontested divorce in NY?

roughly 3 months

Some uncontested divorces are resolved as quickly as six weeks, while others can take six months or more. Since New York does not have a waiting period, a divorce that both parties agree on takes roughly 3 months for the papers to be filed with the court.

Can you get divorced online?

At eDivorce because every divorce is different, each document is personally tailored according to the client's specifics. eDivorce provides an efficient and cost effective service of obtaining divorce papers online.

Can you get a divorce online in NY?

Divorce Online in New York

If a couple has an uncontested divorce in New York, the quickest and most efficient option is to contact an online divorce service. OnlineDivorceNewYork.com offers the necessary completed divorce forms ready to download within two business days.

Can I do my own divorce in NY?

If you are filing for an uncontested divorce there are forms available for your use: If you have no children under 21 and your marriage has been over for at least 6 months, you can use the DIY Uncontested Divorce Program to make your papers. If you have children under 21, use the paper Uncontested Divorce Packet.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in NY?

New York is now an equitable distribution state. When a spouse files for divorce, the court must divide marital property equitably or fairly. But equitable doesn't necessarily require an equal split of the couple's assets.

Can you divorce without a lawyer?

Divorce is of two kinds - Mutual consent divorce and contested divorce. A mutual consented divorce is an easier and faster way you can get a divorce without a lawyer. For obtaining a divorce mutually, both the parties must agree that the divorce should take place, and decided on other relevant factors.

Do you have to be separated before divorce in NY?

You can seek a no-fault divorce in New York if you and your spouse have been separated for at least one year or if there's been an "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage" for at least six months. Couples can also seek a divorce after entering into a separation agreement and living apart for at least one year.

How can I get a quick divorce?

MUTUAL CONSENT DIVORCE

1. No fixed time period. The parties have to be present before the court for as many times as it seeks. The maximum cooling off period between the first and second petition is 18 months after which on presentation of second petition, and satisfaction of court, divorce decree can be granted.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in NY?

An uncontested divorce costs at least $335 in total court and filing fees. This does not include the cost of a lawyer, photocopies, notary fees, transportation, mailing, process server fees, etc.

How to file an uncontested divorce in New York?

How to Prepare the NY Uncontested Divorce Forms 1 Summons with Notice/Complaint (UD-1,UD-1a,UD-2) Need to purchase an Index Number before it can be filed. 2 Verified Complaint (UD2) Lists the relief the Plaintiff is seeking from the Court. 3 Affidavit of Service/Defendant (UD7, UD3) Proof that the defendant in the action was served pursuant to the requirements of the CPLR 4 RJI (USC-840) Request for Judicial Intervention with proof of filing and Addendum (USC-840M) if children under 18 are involved. 5 Note of Issue (UD-9) 6 DRL 240 Information Sheet If children under age 18 involved. 7 Plaintiff's Affidavit 8 Affidavit of Regularity (UD5) 9 Removal of Barriers (UD4) If the parties were married by clergy. 10 DRL 76-h Affidavit (UD8a) If children under age 18 involved. 11 Affidavit of Non-military Service See Military Law 303; 50 USCA App 520 12 Child Support Affidavit (UD8) If Children under age 21 involved. 13 Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law May need to be a Referee's Report, depends on the county divorce is filed. 14 Matrimonial Judgment 15 USC-111 If children under age 18 involved. 16 State Case Registry Form Needed when child support is not being paid through the Support Collection Unit 17 Certificate of Disolution Needed when Judgment is recorded with the clerk.

What to do if your spouse won't agree to divorce?

If your spouse won't agree to the divorce, or the terms of the divorce, you will most likely need a lawyer , and you probably will decide to hire an uncontested divorce lawyer anyway when you learn what is involved with the process.

How to file for uncontested divorce?

If you are filing for an uncontested divorce there are forms available for your use: 1 If you have no children under 21 and your marriage has been over for at least 6 months, you can use the DIY Uncontested Divorce Program to make your papers. 2 If you have children under 21, use the paper Uncontested Divorce Packet.

How much does an index number cost?

An index number costs $210 . The index number is the number for your case and should be put on all papers filed. An uncontested divorce costs at least $335 in total court and filing fees. This does not include the cost of a lawyer, photocopies, notary fees, transportation, mailing, process server fees, etc.

What is index number?

The index number is the number for your case and should be put on all papers filed. An uncontested divorce costs at least $335 in total court and filing fees. This does not include the cost of a lawyer, photocopies, notary fees, transportation, mailing, process server fees, etc.

Can you get divorced in New York?

Only the supreme court handles divorce cases in New York and you cannot get a divorce in the family court, which can help you with all other issues such as child custody, support and visitation before you file for divorce. You need to pay a fee of $210 to get an index number or case number to begin your divorce process in New York.

How long do you have to live in New York before filing for divorce?

Your spouse and you have lived in New York as a couple and either one of you at least has lived in New York for a minimum of 1 year before filing for divorce. The grounds of divorce have occurred in the state and either one of you at least has lived in New York for a minimum of 1 year before filing for divorce.

Is there a no fault divorce in New York?

The New York law recognizes no-fault, as well as fault-based grounds for divorce. In the case of a no-fault divorce, there is no requirement to assign blame on your spouse for the break up of your marriage and there is no need to provide any reason for your divorce.

How long do you have to be a resident of New York to file for divorce?

Either your spouse or you have been a resident of the state for a minimum of 2 years immediately before filing for divorce. There is no waiting period in New York before a judge will enter a decree of divorce.

How much does it cost to get a divorce in New York?

You need to pay a fee of $210 to get an index number or case number to begin your divorce process in New York. And, in the case of an uncontested divorce, the total cost including the court fees and filing fees is around $335.

What is an uncontested divorce in New York?

Uncontested New York Divorce (Low Cost) In the case of an uncontested divorce, there is an agreement between your spouse and you about all the issues such as property division, child custody and support, alimony, etc. As per the New York law, your spouse and you must also agree on the reason or grounds of your divorce.

What is considered property in a divorce in New York?

the property and debts that were acquired during your marriage are divided on what is considered fair and not necessarily on an equal basis. Your income, home and personal possessions are all considered as your property.

What happens if you get divorced?

If you get divorced, that decision is final.

What is the difference between a divorce and a legal separation?

The main difference between a legal separation and a divorce is that when you are legally separated, you are still married. In most other ways it is no different than a divorce, with the division of assets and other financial matters needing to be agreed upon.

Why do couples choose legal separation?

There are several reasons that couples would choose a legal separation over a divorce, and these commonly include religious, moral, and financial reasons. Many couples also use separation as a test run before filing for divorce.

What happens if you get separated legally?

If you get a legal separation, you will still be entitled to certain benefits including social security and pensions that provide payments to surviving spouses. If you get divorced, that decision is final.

Is a separation agreement enforceable?

All orders contained in a legal separation agreement are enforceable and any violation of the agreement can be considered contempt of court. Casey Wagner is a copywriter for A Better Solution, which is an NJ Divorce/Separation Mediation guide created by Steven B. Menack, ESQ., s a highly experienced, fully accredited NJ divorce mediator ...

Can a judge award you anything?

A judge is generally unable to award you anything that you have not specifically asked for in the original petition. It is important to thoroughly research and prepare your petition and to be sure you have covered everything that you are asking for in the legal separation agreement.

How long does it take to get divorce in New York?

Once served personally, your spouse has twenty days to respond to the documents (if served in New York State) or the non response by your spouse will be considered a default.

How to obtain divorce by publication?

In order to obtain a divorce by publication, you have to complete a number of steps to diligently attempt to find your spouse and document these attempts. You must then present proof to the court that you did your investigation and still have not been able to find your spouse.

What to do if you can't find your spouse?

If you cannot find your spouse, and thus cannot obtain an Affidavit of Service, then you have to ask the Court’s permission to serve your spouse in a different way. One way is via a Divorce by Publication. This is done when you have no idea of where your spouse may be located.

How long does it take to serve a divorce?

If the court believes you have made all reasonable attempts, it will grant you the permission to serve the divorce papers by publicizing notice of the divorce in a newspaper for a three week period of time. After this period elapses, then you may move for your judgment of divorce.

Can a spouse sign a summons and complaint?

Once your spouse receives the necessary divorce papers (the Summons with Notice or Summons and Complaint), your spouse can acknowledge service and sign the Affidavit of Defendant, granting you the right to proceed with the divorce without any further action on their part. This is a True Uncontested Divorce. Your spouse does not necessarily, in the legal sense, have to be served, i.e. personally, as long as he or she acknowledges, in this Affidavit, service of the papers. Thus some divorces can be completed by virtue of just mailing out the divorce papers to your spouse and your spouse returning a signed Affidavit of Defendant to you for processing with the Court.