Just in time for Valentine’s Day, New York State is making it easier than ever to get a divorce. New York’s ‘Uncontested Joint Divorce” process has been updated to make the process simpler and cheaper.
Before Uncontested Joint Divorce was an option, married couples had to sue each other in New York State to get a divorce.
This was the case even if both parties agreed they wanted to split amicably.
The New York State Unified Court System recently announced a simplified process using a single set of forms, consolidating what used to be several steps into one.
"This type of divorce is much easier and quicker to obtain because you do not have to prove the grounds (reasons) for the divorce, and because you will file your papers together asking the Court to approve what you agree will happen after your divorce, instead of one spouse filing for a divorce against the other," said the Unified Court System information.
Forty-five percent of New Yorkers are married, and roughly half of all marriages end in divorce.
New York is home to 1.34 million married women and 1.4 million married men.
Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas said, "The Uncontested Joint Divorce program, which allows for eligible spouses to file and sign their divorce papers jointly—without having to prove reasons for the divorce—will save divorcing couples time and money."
Couples must still come to an agreement on child custody and any financial or property arrangements, and they may sometimes want a lawyer to help them with potential legal issues, but after that is complete, the new process should make the final divorce process easier for couples.
Once both parties agree, the forms can be filed online with the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System.
If a child under 21 is involved, a separate form for child support and visitation agreements will be required.
The updated process only applies to no-fault divorces.
This means that either party makes no claims of abuse, neglect, or adultery. If either party claims harm in their marriage, the more traditional divorce process must be used.