On average, New York divorce lawyers charge between $305 and $380 per hour. Average total costs for divorce lawyers range from $13,000 to $16,000 but tend to be lower in cases with no contested issues and no trial.
How Much Does the Average Divorce Cost in New York? Overall, the average cost of a New York divorce is about $17,1001. However, you know it's a lot more complicated than that. An uncontested divorce will run you about $5500 on average2, while litigation costs average a whopping $50,000!
spouseUnder New York law, a court can direct either spouse to pay attorney's fees, and expenses for expert fees to enable the other spouse to maintain and defend the divorce action.
If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500.
What Am I Entitled to in a Divorce in NY? Under New York's equitable distribution laws, only your “marital property” will be divided during a divorce in NY. This means that you and your spouse will get to keep any separate property that was brought into the marriage.
roughly 3 monthsSome 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.
It generally does not matter who files first in a New York divorce case. The filing spouse does not get an advantage to "set the rules" of the divorce. New York courts apply principles that do not favor one party over the other.
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.
While some states frown heavily upon dating during a divorce and some even consider it adultery, New York judges are rather progressive and don't typically care if a spouse is dating while their divorce is pending in the courts.
There are two types of divorces, contested and uncontested divorce. The uncontested divorce is the best and most cost effective for all parties concerned. It can be finalised within 4 weeks. If a divorce is contested it may take between 2 - 3 years, but most contested divorces do settle long before they go on trial.
In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all of their divorce-related issues rather than going to trial and having a judge make those decisions for them.
We always recommend waiting for a least a year following your divorce before you begin dating again to give yourself time to adjust to your new normal and to focus on yourself. Then, we recommend waiting at least two years before committing to a serious relationship.