Suffolk County Divorce Lawyer

Divorce lawyer for Suffolk County and the East End

Divorce changes where you live, how you see your children, and what you own. Beau Taylor Law, PLLC handles contested and uncontested divorces in Suffolk County Supreme Court, from straightforward agreements to litigated cases involving custody, the marital home, retirement accounts, and business interests. The firm's job is to protect what matters to you and get you to the other side with your finances and your family intact.

Uncontested divorce

When spouses can agree on the terms, an uncontested divorce is faster and far less expensive. The firm drafts the settlement agreement and every paper the court requires, files the case, and sees it through to a judgment, usually without either spouse appearing in court. Uncontested divorces are handled for a $2,500 flat fee with fast turnaround.

An "uncontested" divorce still needs to be done right. The agreement will govern custody, support, maintenance, and property division for years. Having it reviewed by an attorney before you sign is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.

Contested divorce

When the parties cannot agree, the case proceeds through the Supreme Court: a preliminary conference, financial disclosure, motions for temporary custody or support, negotiations, and if necessary a trial. The firm prepares every contested case as if it will be tried, which is usually what produces a fair settlement.

• Temporary (pendente lite) custody, support, and maintenance
• Exclusive occupancy of the marital residence
• Discovery and forensic accounting
• Valuation of businesses, professional licenses, and real estate
• Custody and parenting time
• Trial and post judgment enforcement

Equitable distribution: who gets what

New York is an equitable distribution state. Marital property, which generally means everything acquired during the marriage regardless of whose name is on it, is divided fairly, which does not always mean equally. Separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage, inheritances, and gifts to one spouse, generally stays with that spouse if it was kept separate. Common issues in Suffolk County divorces include:

• The marital home and vacation or second homes on the East End
• Pensions, 401(k)s, and IRAs, divided by a qualified domestic relations order
• Family businesses and professional practices
• Separate property claims and commingled accounts
• Debts, including mortgages, credit cards, and tax liabilities
• Enhanced earning capacity and other complex claims

Grounds and residency

New York allows a no fault divorce on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably for at least six months. Fault based grounds still exist but are rarely necessary. The court must also have jurisdiction, which usually means one spouse has lived in New York for at least one year, or two years in some circumstances. We confirm these requirements at the consultation so the case is filed correctly the first time.

Separation agreements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

A well drafted separation agreement can resolve every issue in a divorce and later be incorporated into the judgment. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements let couples decide in advance how property and support will be handled. New York enforces these agreements when they are properly executed and fair, and the firm drafts and reviews them for clients throughout Suffolk County.

What a divorce costs on Long Island

Cost depends on conflict, not on the size of the estate. An uncontested divorce is a $2,500 flat fee. A contested divorce is billed hourly against a retainer, and the firm uses flat fees for defined pieces of work, such as a motion or a hearing, whenever the scope can be fixed in advance. You will receive a written estimate at the consultation and a written retainer agreement before any work begins.