Westchester County Attorneys Advise Spouses on Legal Separation

White Plains lawyers handle situations when couples choose not to divorce

There are many reasons why a couple who no longer wishes to live together would choose legal separation over divorce. Whether you’re motivated by religious beliefs, financial concerns, insurance matters or something else, the accomplished family lawyers at Carton & Rosoff PC can guide you through the separation process. From our office in White Plains, we represent spouses in separation proceedings so that they can obtain fair terms on issues such as custody, visitation, child support and property division. Before you take the first step, we ensure you have the information you need to make confident decisions about your choice to separate.

Dedicated firm offers comprehensive support through the separation process

Unlike divorce, separation does not dissolve the legal relationship between you and your spouse, but it does establish a framework that allows spouses to set guidelines on financial and parenting matters while they live apart. Our firm protects the rights of clients in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess counties as well as Manhattan and the Bronx by assisting with each aspect of New York legal separation, including:

• Process — Courts don’t make determinations regarding issues such as alimony and property division when a couple separates. In these situations, we use our experience to identify innovative solutions that foster consensus. From there, we prepare the agreement for filing so that the separation will be granted.
• Child custody and support — Children shouldn’t be put at risk or lose access to either parent when parents decide to separate. During child custody and support discussions, our attorneys review the circumstances closely to ensure that sons and daughters have the financial and emotional support that they need.
• Spousal maintenance — If one partner makes significantly more money than the other, spousal maintenance payments might be appropriate during the period of separation, particularly if joint accounts are to be closed. Whether you’re a stay-at-home wife or husband who requires financial support or a spouse who is being asked to contribute, we examine the circumstances closely and strive to reach a mutually satisfactory result.
• Property division — When a married couple no longer lives together, the spouses might be motivated to transfer ownership of the family home to the person who will remain there. We help clients evaluate their income, assets and debts to foster an acceptable solution to conflicts about how to divide property.

Depending on your relationship going forward, the settlement agreement could be in place for many years. Should you make the decision to terminate your marriage legally at some point, the terms of the settlement document might form the basis of your divorce arrangements. Accordingly, it’s important to retain a qualified family lawyer to represent you in separation discussions just as you would during a divorce proceeding. Our attorneys provide valuable guidance at every stage of the process and can also assist with arrangements for individuals who seek to end a domestic partnership.

Contact a skillful New York matrimonial attorney regarding legal separation

Carton & Rosoff PC represents clients in and around Westchester County in legal separation proceedings and other family law matters. To schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys in White Plains, please call 914-949-6700 or contact us online.