Experienced White Plains Divorce Lawyer
Negotiating an equitable distribution of property
During the divorce process, there are often many contentious battles which arise between future ex-spouses. It is vital to have a staunch ally on your side, protecting your best interests and ensuring your voice is heard. At the Law Office of Karen Jansen, you receive full-service, personalized legal representation founded on honesty and integrity to ensure that you are able to move on with your life in the best possible position.
Providing the legal resources and knowledge you need to understand how property is divided following a divorce
Property distribution is one of the primary hurdles to overcome during the divorce process. Disputes regarding how assets are divided often lead to lengthy and costly litigation. Divorce mediation is a non-adversarial way to openly discuss and resolve property conflicts with the assistance of a neutral third party. However, when a couple is unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement through negotiation and mediation, the Court is required to intervene and issue a court order.
New York is an equitable distribution state in which courts have broad discretion to equitably divide marital property. New York’s definition of marital property includes:
- Checking, savings and money market accounts
- Real estate holdings
- Retirement plans
- Deferred compensation
- Stock options
- Business holdings
- Licenses, degrees and professional certifications
- Outstanding loans and credit card debt incurred during the marriage
Equitable division of these assets does not necessarily mean an equal distribution. Separate property is not included in the equitable distribution and includes anything the spouse owned prior to the marriage, as well as inheritances or gifts received from a third party during the marriage.
When determining how to equitably divide property, the Court analyzes numerous factors, including but not limited to:
- Each party’s income both at the time of the marriage and when the divorce petition is filed
- The duration of the marriage
- The age and health of each party
- Any award of spousal maintenance
- Child custody expenses for the custodial parent
- Any loss of inheritance or pension rights resulting from the divorce
- Each party’s financial circumstances
- Tax consequences of the distribution
- Each party’s expenditures and contributions as a spouse, parent, wage earner and homemaker
Our knowledgeable White Plains divorce lawyer has a proven track record of successfully handling high net worth divorces. Attorney Karen Jansen works diligently to help you understand your rights, options and potential obligations under New York’s Domestic Relations Law. We work hard so you receive the settlement you deserve.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your financial interests, consult a leading White Plains divorce attorney for zealous advocacy
Determining who gets what after a divorce is one of the most important aspects of the divorce process. At the Law Office of Karen Jansen, you can rest easy knowing your case is being handled by an experienced White Plains divorce lawyer highly skilled in complex asset division. Contact the firm online or by phone at 914-821-5200 to discuss your case. The office is close to mass transit, and serves clients in White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison, Greenburgh, North Castle, Eastchester, Bronxville, Rye and Mamaroneck.
