Great Neck Divorce Lawyer

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Experienced Divorce Attorney in Great Neck, NY

The outcome of a divorce can determine your parental rights and which assets you are allowed to keep. By working with an experienced Great Neck divorce lawyer, you can remove the uncertainty that comes with a divorce. An attorney can learn about your priorities before tailoring a strategy that works to further your goals in court. Rather than reacting, your lawyer can take decisive action to protect what matters most.

An Award-Winning Family Law Firm Focused on High-Value Divorces

At The Levoritz Law Firm, we understand the stress and uncertainty that come with a divorce. The services we provide to executives and high-earning business owners can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case. By learning about your priorities and taking a holistic approach to supporting you, we can make sure that your property and parental rights are safeguarded and the final court order protects what matters most.

Since 2005, spouses in Great Neck have turned to us for exceptional legal services and our willingness to file first. Our track record of favorable outcomes in court has earned us recognition and awards in New York. We understand the complexities that come with dissolving a large marital estate, which is why we allocate considerable time and resources to managing family court cases.

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Understanding Divorces in Great Neck, NY

With a statewide divorce rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents in a typical year, New York sees large numbers of divorce cases at the New York State Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street in New York City, each year. During the divorce process, both spouses are encouraged to agree on important matters like property division and child custody. If they cannot, mediation may be called for, or a judge may review the evidence before making those decisions.

New York follows an equitable distribution system, which does not necessarily lead to a 50/50 split of property and assets. The average home value in Great Neck is around $1.42 million. Child custody cases are based on the best interests of the child. Factors like past parenting time, child-rearing duties, and financial stability are all factors that a judge may weigh when deciding legal and physical custody rights.

Nassau County Divorce Statistics

Year Total Dissolutions Divorces Annulments & Other Decrees
2023 3,131 3,122 9
2022 2,093 2,085 8
2021 1,926 1,919 7
2020 2,121 2,115 6
2019 1,546 1,537 9

*Data sourced from the New York State Department of Health Vital Statistics (Nassau County).

Unique Challenges When Divorcing as a Jewish Couple in New York City

When a Jewish couple decides to divorce, they have to go through the regular divorce process and a separate process that allows them to remarry within the Jewish faith. This process is completed at a Beth Din, which is a religious court. The steps for obtaining a Get include:

  • Schedule your appearance at the Beth Din.
  • The officiating rabbi verifies your information and your desire to obtain a Get.
  • The Get is written by a scribe in the presence of two authorized witnesses.
  • The husband then presents the Get to the wife.
  • The wife accepts the Get from the husband.
  • The Get is then cut by the rabbi and retained at the Beth Din.
  • Several days later, the Beth Din issues a certificate, known as a ptur, to both spouses, indicating that they are free to remarry.

Since couples have to willingly give and receive the Get for it to be recognized, issues can arise when one spouse refuses to participate. To counter this, New York has created Domestic Relations Law Section 253, which requires any party filing for a civil divorce to submit a sworn statement that they have taken all steps required to remove any barriers that would prevent their spouse from remarrying.

Your Great Neck divorce attorney can offer support and guidance when finding an appropriate Beth Din to complete the Get process. If your spouse is reluctant to give or receive a Get, our team can use legal means to compel them to cooperate in the process. Refusing to provide or receive a Get can alter how the court awards spousal maintenance payments and the distribution of the marital assets.

Challenges High-Earning Spouses Face During a Divorce in Great Neck

Whether you live in Neck Plaza, Saddle Rock, Kings Point, or another part of Great Neck, you can face unique challenges when dividing a large estate. All property and assets must be accounted for before the estate can be equitably divided. This can be a daunting task, especially if your spouse is not cooperative or tries to hide assets from disclosure.

During the estate division process, it is crucial to account for separate property. This includes assets that you received as gifts or inherited. Anything that was owned before the marriage could also be classified as separate property and withheld from division. Receipts and other evidence can prove that certain assets are not subject to division during divorce.

Procedures for Valuing High-Net-Worth Assets

A high-net-worth divorce does not only apply to couples with high incomes. Many situations could benefit from the experience of a high-net-worth divorce attorney. Common high-net-worth divorces include:

  • Multiple properties or real estate holdings
  • Real estate in multiple states or countries
  • Large investment portfolios
  • Ownership of family-owned or private businesses
  • High-value luxury assets
  • Intellectual property rights

One of the biggest challenges during a high-net-worth divorce is accurate valuation. Since New York divides the marital estate equitably, instead of equally, an accurate valuation is necessary to make sure neither spouse receives an unfair distribution of assets. If items are valued too high, one spouse ends up receiving less than they should. Conversely, items valued too low can result in one spouse receiving more.

The process to accurately value real estate, businesses, or investment portfolios may seem daunting, but your Great Neck divorce attorney can refer to forensic accountants, financial advisors, and industry-specific appraisers to create accurate valuations for any type of unusual or luxury assets.

Why You Should Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

Going through a divorce without support from a Great Neck divorce attorney could be a regrettable mistake. When you hire a divorce lawyer, you benefit from their years of experience leveraging divorce laws to support their clients’ goals. The outcome of your divorce case could hinge on the experience and strength of your legal representation.

Family law attorneys do more than represent clients in front of judges. They can negotiate favorable outcomes to disputes, request hearings, and present evidence that supports your case. Their support and encouragement can be invaluable, especially if you are confronted with a complex or high-conflict divorce in Great Neck.

Alternative to Divorcing Through the Court

Ideally, when going through the divorce process, both spouses should sit down and negotiate how the marital estate is to be divided, what items are considered separate property, how child custody and support should be handled, and if either spouse is to receive spousal maintenance. In reality, this process can be difficult even when both spouses are motivated to dissolve the marriage. There are two useful options for settling these matters without court intervention:

  1. Mediation: An informal approach that uses a neutral third party to help the couple work through the decisions they are having trouble handling on their own. A mediator has no binding authority and does not make decisions for the couple, but acts as a guide to keep discussions productive.
  2. Arbitration: More formal than mediation, but still outside of the court system, an arbitrator acts as a judge who makes final decisions about key aspects of the divorce. Both spouses present their side of the discussion before the decision is made. At the end of the arbitration process, the couple has a legally binding agreement.

While both methods are usually faster and less expensive than a traditional court trial, most high-net-worth divorce clients appreciate the privacy they are afforded by using one of these methods. When divorcing through a traditional civil trial, your financial records can become visible to the public. Mediation and arbitration are private methods that keep your private financial records out of the public sector.

Neither mediators nor arbitrators are allowed to offer legal advice to either party during the mediation or arbitration process. To receive legal advice tailored to your interests, you should have your own divorce attorney with you during either mediation or arbitration.

Modifying Child Support or Spousal Maintenance After the Divorce Has Been Finalized

After the divorce is finalized, you may be excited about the prospect of never seeing your ex-spouse again, but that may not be possible if child support or spousal maintenance payments are being made. Under specific guidelines, both of these agreements are subject to modification.

To start the process of modifying a child support order, you or your attorney can file a petition in family court if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Child support payments can be modified under specific guidelines, which include:

  • The order was created or last modified three or more years ago
  • Either parent’s gross income has changed by more than 15% since the order was created or last modified
  • Either parent becomes incarcerated

It can be more challenging to modify court-ordered spousal maintenance payments. Modifications are only allowed under circumstances of extreme hardship, including:

  • The payor experiences involuntary unemployment
  • The payor has a significant decrease in income
  • The payee remarries or begins cohabitating with a new partner
  • The payor experiences a serious medical issue
  • The payor has a high cost of living increase
  • The payee completes an educational degree or job training program

Methods of Enforcing Court Orders

When you have secured a court order for child support or spousal maintenance payments, there can be serious consequences if those payments are not made fully and on time. If you are supposed to receive either of these types of payments, but are not, you can file with either the Supreme Court or Family Court for enforcement proceedings. There are several ways the court can compel a non-complying parent or ex-spouse to make payments, including:

  • The court can grant a money judgment against the payor
  • Require the payor to put up security to cover future payments
  • Confiscate the payor’s property
  • Hold the payor in contempt of court
  • The payee can obtain an income execution for support enforcement
  • The payee can file a civil claim against the payor for breach of the settlement or separation agreement

FAQs About Great Neck, NYC Divorce Laws

How Can an Attorney Protect My Parental Rights in Great Neck?

An attorney can play a crucial role in protecting your parental rights in Great Neck. If you are falsely accused of neglect or abuse, your attorney can take decisive action to refute those claims. During negotiations, your lawyer can make sure that your custody rights are protected in the final court agreement. Strong legal advocacy should be your top priority if you have concerns about retaining crucial parental rights.

What Am I Allowed to Keep in a Divorce in New York?

In New York, you are allowed to keep an equitable share of the marital estate. Anything that is separate property can be kept, such as inheritances and gifts. New York does not follow a strict 50/50 split in property division cases. Rather, a judge considers numerous factors when deciding what type of division is fairer to the parties involved in a divorce.

Can an Attorney Protect Me From False Accusations?

An attorney can play an active role in protecting you from false accusations. Any claim made in court must be backed by evidence. Your lawyer can present evidence that contradicts your spouse’s allegations. If needed, you or your spouse may be called to testify under oath. False claims may ultimately weaken your spouse’s position and lead to more favorable outcomes for your case.

Does Legal Representation Help My Property Rights in Great Neck?

Yes. Legal representation can play a crucial role in protecting your property rights in Great Neck. An attorney can make sure that the marital estate is accurately divided and all separate property is accounted for. They can take steps to compel your spouse to be honest on financial disclosures. If you wish to keep certain assets or properties, your lawyer can strategically negotiate settlement terms with those priorities in mind.

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Legal Guidance in Divorce and Family Matters.

Protect What Matters Most: Contact The Levoritz Law Firm Today

Going through a divorce can feel like everything is on the line. When you work with the family law team at The Levoritz Law Firm, you gain the support of skillful advocates who prioritize your rights and interests at every turn. We understand the importance of taking decisive action when your future is on the line.

We take a hands-on approach to all of our cases by connecting our clients to our lead attorney, who has a strong track record of delivering exceptional legal services and five-star reviews from past clients. Trust our award-winning legal team to provide you with the results-driven services you need to protect what matters most during a divorce. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and start the process.

Great Neck, NYC Divorce Law Resources

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Yonatan Levoritz who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a divorce & family attorney.

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