Suffolk County Legal Separation Attorney

Expert Legal Separation Representation in New York

Spouses who are going through difficulties and desire to try out life on their own have the opportunity to change the legal status of their marriage without ending the marriage with a divorce. A legal separation allows couples to function as if they are no longer together while remaining legally married.

Like divorce, spouses who enter into a legal separation will need to come to an agreement on a variety of issues, such as spousal support, child custody and visitation, and individual rights to property. The Suffolk County legal separation attorneys at Montefusco Law Group can help you draft and file a legal separation contract that protects your rights and satisfies all parties involved.

Our qualified Suffolk County attorneys can guide you through the legal separation process. Call (631) 801-0007 to schedule a consultation.

Choosing Legal Separation Over Divorce

Legal separation is designed to help spouses who desire to work out their marital problems while living apart. In order to file for legal separation, the separation must be sought based on one or more qualifying circumstances.

The grounds for legal separation in New York include:

• Adultery
• Abandonment
• Cruel and inhumane treatment
• Neglect of and failure to provide support
• Imprisonment for three or more consecutive years

If both spouses were not New York residents when the grounds for divorce arose and the separation filed for, the couple will have to meet a residency time limit requirement. If only one spouse is a resident of New York at the time of filing for legal separation, the residency requirement is two years.

The requirement is reduced to one year if:

• The grounds for legal separation arose in New York
• The spouses were married in New York and either spouse is still a resident
• The spouses once resided in New York and either spouse is still a resident

Initiate Your Legal Separation in Suffolk County Now

Our experienced Suffolk County legal separation lawyers can help you through the entire process of legal separation, including filing a complaint, serving a summons to your spouse, and drafting a separation agreement.