Residency Requirements	A divorce can be granted under New York laws when: The parties were married in New York and either party has been a New York resident, at the time the divorce papers are filed, for at least one year immediately before filing the divorce papers The parties have resided in New York as husband and wife and either party has been a New York resident, at the time the divorce papers are filed, for at least one year immediately before filing the divorce papers The cause occurred in New York and either party has been a New York resident, at the time the divorce papers are filed, for at least one year immediately before filing the divorce papers The grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and both parties are New York residents at the time the divorce papers are filed Either party has been a resident of New York for a continuous period of at least two years immediately before filing the divorce papers
Where to File	Summons and complaint must be filed with the county clerk's office after the purchase of an index number.
Grounds for Divorce	A divorce can be granted under New York laws for one of the two no-fault grounds: Living separate and apart for at least one year after receiving a decree or judgment of separation. The plaintiff must submit satisfactory proof that he or she has followed all the terms and conditions of the decree Living separate and apart for one year under the terms of a written separation agreement, filed with the clerk of the county where either party resides. The plaintiff must submit satisfactory proof that he or she has substantially performed all the terms and conditions of the agreement The following fault-based grounds also exist under New York divorce laws: The cruel and inhuman treatment of the plaintiff by the defendant if the treatment endangers the physical or mental well being of the plaintiff, rendering it unsafe or improper for the plaintiff to cohabit with the defendant The abandonment of the plaintiff by the defendant for a period of at least one year The confinement of the defendant in prison for a period of three or more consecutive years after the parties' marriage The commission of an act of adultery
Property Distribution	The court will return each spouse's separate property to that spouse. Marital property will be distributed equitably between the parties, considering the circumstances of the case and of the respective parties. In determining an equitable disposition of property, the court shall consider: the income and property of each party at the time of marriage, and at the time of the commencement of the action the duration of the marriage and the age and health of both parties the need of a custodial parent to occupy or own the marital residence and to use or own its household effects the loss of inheritance and pension rights upon dissolution of the marriage as of the date of dissolution any award of alimony any equitable claim to, interest in, or direct or indirect contribution made to the acquisition of such marital property by the party not having title, including joint efforts or expenditures and contributions and services as a spouse, parent, wage earner and homemaker, and to the career or career potential of the other party the liquid or non-liquid character of all marital property the probable future financial circumstances of each party the impossibility or difficulty of evaluating any component asset or any interest in a business, corporation or profession, and the economic desirability of retaining such asset or interest intact and free from any claim or interference by the other party the tax consequences to each party the wasteful dissipation of assets by either spouse any transfer or encumbrance made in contemplation of a matrimonial action without fair consideration any other factor which the court shall expressly find to be just and proper
Child Custody	New York laws will take into consideration the best interests of the child when determining custody, but there are no specific guidelines in the statutes to determine custody. It will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Child Support	To calculate the basic child support obligation, the parents' combined net income should be multiplied by a specific percentages. The basic child support obligation shall then be divided between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. To determine net income, the following should be deducted from the parents' gross income: unreimbursed employee business expenses, except to the extent the expenses reduce personal expenditures alimony or maintenance actually paid child support actually paid public assistance supplemental security income New York city or Yonkers income or earnings taxes actually paid federal insurance contributions act (FICA) taxes actually paid
Spousal Support	New York laws allow the court to order alimony to a dependent spouse, in such amount as justice requires, if the dependent spouse lacks sufficient property and income to provide for his or her reasonable needs, and if the other party has sufficient property or income to provide for the reasonable needs of the other. In determining the amount and duration of maintenance the court shall consider: the income and property of the respective parties including marital property distributed in the divorce the duration of the marriage and the age and health of both parties the present and future earning capacity of both parties the ability of the party seeking alimony to become self-supporting and, if applicable, the period of time and training needed to become self-supporting reduced or lost lifetime earning capacity of the party seeking alimony as a result of having foregone or delayed education, training, employment, or career opportunities during the marriage the presence of children of the marriage in the respective homes of the parties the tax consequences to each party contributions and services of the party seeking alimony as a spouse, parent, wage earner and homemaker, and to the career or career potential of the other party the wasteful dissipation of marital property by either spouse any transfer or encumbrance made in contemplation of a matrimonial action without fair consideration the standard of living of the parties established during the marriage any other factor which the court shall expressly find to be just and proper The court may award permanent alimony, but an award of alimony terminates upon the death of either party or upon the recipient's remarriage.