DIVORCE

Going through a divorce is a difficult emotional process even if it is uncontested and both parties agree it is in their best interests to part. At DiPoala Haber Law, we have decades of experience helping her clients achieve the best possible outcome for themselves and for their children.  Our attorneys are smart, tough and committed to helping you resolve your issues in the least contentious way.

Call DiPoala Haber Law, Syracuse, New York, Divorce Lawyers

In a divorce, there are a number of issues that need to be resolved such as:

  • Division of assets and liabilities: New York is an equitable division state. This does not mean there will be an equal distribution, but one that the court considers fair.
  • Child custody and visitation: The court considers all relevant factors and makes its decision based on what it determines is in the best interest of the child.
  • Child support: In most cases, the non-custodial parent is ordered to pay child support to the custodial parent. The amount depends on many factors and on how many children there are.
  • Spousal support: Either spouse can ask for support from the other. The court weighs many factors, such as the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage and any other relevant evidence.

In addition to representing you in a divorce, we also prepare requests for modification or enforcement of a your final judgment of divorce, or other court order.  A modification of your court order may be available if either party experiences a significant change in their circumstances. We can also assist you with the collection of child support in all cases, even when the paying parent has moved out of state.

Legal Separation

There are some situations where the spouses want the legal protection of a divorce, such as being able to acquire separate property, or to not be responsible for debt incurred by the other spouse, but they want to stay married for religious or financial reasons.  The lawyers at DiPoala Haber Law will prepare the separation agreement for you and file it with the court.

Collaborative Law

There are options to pursuing your separation and/or divorce that are less destructive than the more familiar court process. One of them is to follow the Collaborative Process.  Lisa DiPoala Haber and Megan P. Smith are trained and experienced in resolving divorce and other family issues through the Collaborative Process.

The essence of the Collaborative Process is the shared belief of both spouses that it is in their best interests and in the best interest of their family to resolve their differences with minimal conflict.  In the Collaborative Process both parties and their respective collaboratively trained attorneys work together in a series of meetings to settle the issues necessary to resolve their separation and divorce, or other family matter.  Collaboration is accepted world-wide as an effective alternative to litigation for couples preferring to resolve issues of separation and divorce without going to court.   Some of the benefits of Collaborative Law and staying out of court are: privacy, the parties control the outcome of their divorce, and it preserves and protects your family and your financial resources. The Collaborative Process often takes less time and saves money, and you don’t have to expose your family to court.

Mediation

Mediation is another less destructive alternative to resolving your separation and/or divorce, or any family issue outside of court.  Lisa DiPoala Haber and Megan P. Smith are experienced divorce attorneys and mediators.   Through the process of divorce mediation one of our attorneys can serve as your mediator and help you get divorced in a dignified and private manner.  Or, we can provide legal consultation in the event that you chose another professional as your mediator.

In the privacy and comfort of DiPoala Haber Law offices, we will meet with you and your spouse as many times as necessary to help the two of you come to an agreement about custody, support and the division of your property and debt without ever having to go to court.  After we have helped you and your spouse reach an agreement, we can prepare the written agreement for you both to sign as well as all the papers necessary for you be divorced.  For more information visit CNY Divorce Mediation.

Uncontested Divorce

If you and your spouse have reached an agreement through your own negotiations, or mediation , one of our attorney’s can prepare and file all of the papers necessary for you to get an uncontested divorce, which is a divorce without either one of you ever having appear in court.  After a judge signs the final judgment of divorce, we will file the judgment with the County Clerk, making your divorce final, and provide you with a certified copy.

Contact our offices today for a consultation, or schedule one HERE.