New York Family Lawyer

Family Law Attorney Serving New York, NY

Family law matters in New York involve complex statutory frameworks governing divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, support, and maintenance. Whether you are facing a contested divorce, negotiating a custody arrangement, or protecting assets with a prenuptial agreement, experienced legal counsel ensures that your rights are protected throughout the process.

Agarunov Law Firm provides family law services for clients throughout the New York metropolitan area. We handle divorce and separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, equitable distribution, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Our offices in Lower Manhattan and Englewood, NJ serve clients across both states.

Our office is located at 30 Broad Street, accessible via subway, commuter rail, and PATH to our Financial District office at 30 Broad Street. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your family law needs.

Family Law Services for New York Clients

Divorce and Separation

New York divorces are governed by the Domestic Relations Law and involve equitable distribution of marital property, which does not necessarily mean equal division. The court considers multiple factors in determining a fair allocation. We represent clients in contested and uncontested divorces, handling equitable distribution of marital property, support negotiations, and settlement agreements. When litigation is necessary, we advocate aggressively in court. When settlement is possible, we negotiate efficiently to minimize cost and conflict.

Child Custody and Visitation

New York custody determinations are governed by the "best interests of the child" standard, which considers factors including each parent's fitness, the child's existing relationships, stability of each home, and the parents' ability to cooperate. We represent parents in custody negotiations and proceedings, working to establish arrangements that serve the child's best interests while protecting your parental rights. We handle both initial custody determinations and modifications of existing orders.

Child Support

Child support in New York follows statutory guidelines, but the application of these guidelines varies based on each family's financial circumstances. New York calculates child support using a statutory formula based on parental income, with adjustments for healthcare, childcare, and educational expenses. We ensure that support calculations are accurate, that all income sources are properly disclosed, and that the final order reflects the statutory requirements. We also handle modifications when circumstances change.

Spousal Maintenance

Maintenance in New York is calculated using statutory formulas for both temporary and post-divorce support, though courts retain discretion to adjust based on case-specific factors. Spousal maintenance in New York considers factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, age, health, and contributions to the marriage. We negotiate maintenance terms that are fair and sustainable, whether you are the paying or receiving spouse.

Equitable Distribution

Equitable distribution in New York requires identifying which assets are marital (subject to division) and which are separate (generally protected from division). New York is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. This includes real property, retirement accounts, business interests, investment accounts, and other assets acquired during the marriage. We work to identify all marital assets, obtain accurate valuations, and negotiate a distribution that protects your financial interests.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

New York couples use prenuptial agreements to protect separate property, business interests, and inheritance rights. A properly drafted and executed prenuptial agreement is generally enforceable under New York law if both parties had independent counsel and full financial disclosure. We draft agreements that are thorough, transparent, and designed to be enforceable under New York law. Both parties should have independent legal counsel, and full financial disclosure is required.

What New York Families Should Know About Family Law

New York family law is governed by the Domestic Relations Law and the Family Court Act. The state uses an equitable distribution framework for dividing marital property, statutory formulas for child support and maintenance calculations, and a best-interests-of-the-child standard for custody determinations.

New York requires that divorcing spouses disclose their complete financial circumstances through a Statement of Net Worth. This document lists all assets, debts, income, and expenses, and is used by the court to make support and distribution decisions. Incomplete or inaccurate disclosure can result in sanctions and adverse rulings.

New York recognizes both no-fault divorce (based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage for at least six months) and fault-based grounds. Most divorces today are filed on no-fault grounds, which simplifies the process but does not eliminate disputes over financial issues and custody.

Why New York Clients Choose Agarunov Law Firm

Agarunov Law Firm provides family law services for New York clients facing divorce, custody, support, and prenuptial matters.

• Experienced in both contested and uncontested divorce proceedings
• Strong advocacy for custody and support arrangements that protect your interests
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreement drafting and negotiation
• Accessible from New York via subway, commuter rail, and PATH to our Financial District office at 30 Broad Street
• Licensed in both New York and New Jersey

How Our Family Law Process Works

• Step 1: Consultation. We discuss your situation, your goals, and the legal options available to you. This consultation is free.
• Step 2: Strategy. We develop a legal strategy based on your priorities, whether that is pursuing settlement, preparing for litigation, or a combination of both.
• Step 3: Filing and Negotiation. We file the necessary papers, engage in discovery and disclosure, and negotiate with the other side to resolve as many issues as possible.
• Step 4: Resolution. We finalize the agreement through settlement or, if necessary, present your case at trial. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome efficiently.