If you and your spouse decide to separate, but not yet divorce, then it will be advantageous to create a separation agreement. A separation agreement, in the State of New York, is a detailed contract that establishes how issues of finance, division of assets, visitation and other marital circumstances will be treated while you and your spouse live apart yet are still legally married. The contact is enforceable by the courts in the event of non-compliance, and it will also provide the baseline for a divorce agreement should that situation arise.

After a divorce settlement has been reached, including details about child care and visitation, disputes may arise if a former spouse seeks to move for work or quality of life reasons. In all instances, a desire to relocate must first be approved by Family Court.

In determining whether or not to allow a parent to relocate, the Court primarily concerns itself with the well-being of the child.

The New York Court of Appeals, in Tropea v. Tropea, noted that each relocation request must be considered individually, taking into account all of the relevant facts and circumstances to decide what outcome is most likely to serve the best interests of the child. This made clear that while the rights of the parents are significant factors that must be considered, the child's rights and needs must be given the greatest weight.

The Court’s assessment of how relocation will affect the child takes into account questions like: strength of the relationship and attachment between the child and the non-custodial parent, ability for visitation to be maintained, impact on a child’s education and community ties, and potential effect on quality of life. If it is shown that a relocation will not adversely affect the child, a relocation request is more likely to be granted.

A divorce may be settled… yet fighting in court, or litigation, may continue if a former spouse wants reconsideration of the divorce judgment. Three types of post-divorce litigation are appealing a divorce judgment, appealing the marital settlement agreement, and modifying the divorce decree.

Appealing a divorce judgment in New York is not very common and very difficult to successfully carry out. A divorce judgment may be successfully appealed when it is shown that the judge in charge of the divorce settlement misapplied the law when making the final decision. This is different than contesting a fact. Rather, it must be shown that the judge reached an incorrect decision because he or she misapplied legal procedure or reasoning.

In New York, there are seven grounds, or actions, for divorce. This means that in order for a divorce to be procured, one partner must maintain at least one of the following reasons:

1. The relationship between spouses has broken down irretrievably for a period of at least six months. A divorce will only be granted on these grounds if there has been prior, equitable settlement of economic and child related issues, including financial support, division of assets and payments.
2. Cruel and inhuman treatment causing physical or mental damage making cohabitation dangerous or unsuitable.
3. Abandonment for at least one year.
4. Imprisonment for at least three consecutive years during the marriage.
5. Adultery, which is defined as any voluntary act of sexual intercourse.
6. Separation according to decree or judgment for one or more years.
7. Separation according to agreement of separation for one or more years.

An uncontested divorce occurs when two conditions are met. First, when there are no disagreements between you and your spouse over divorce related issues, including financial and child custody arrangements. Second, when either both you and your spouse agree to divorce, or when your spouse does not appear in divorce proceedings. In other words, an uncontested divorce occurs when all issues related to division of assets, property, liabilities, payments, etc. are settled, and also when either both parties agree to the settlement, or when one party does not oppose the divorce.

How to File for an Uncontested Divorce in the State of New York?