Residency Requirements
Not just anyone can get divorced in a New York State Court. Only litigants meeting the residency requirements set out in the New York State Domestic Relations Law Section 230 will fall within the jurisdiction of a New York State Court. If litigants do not meet these residency requirements, their divorce cases will not be heard by a New York State Court.
Domestic Relations Law Section 230 sets out five possible ways of meeting the residency requirement. If satisfied, any one of these requirements will ensure that a litigant’s divorce case falls within the jurisdiction of a New York State Court. But, in order to avoid wasting time or other resources, it is important to ensure that at least one of these requirements is met before beginning a case.
Requirement #1
(1) One spouse lived in New York State on the date the divorce action began, and
(2) for at least one continuous year immediately prior to the date the divorce action began, and
(3) the marriage was performed in New York State.
Requirement #2
(1) One spouse lived in New York State on the date the divorce action began, and
(2) for at least one continuous year immediately prior to the date the divorce action began, and
(3) the spouses at some point lived together in New York State as a married couple.
Requirement #3
(1) One spouse has been a resident of New York State for one continuous year immediately prior to the date the divorce action began, and
(2) the cause of action arose in New York State. (The “cause of action” is the event or series of events that gives one spouse grounds to seek divorce.)
Requirement #4
(1) The cause of action arose in New York State, and
(2) both spouses are residents of New York State at the time the action arose (no time requirement).
Requirement #5
Either spouse lived in New York State for at least two continuous years immediately prior to the date the divorce action began.
If you would like to pursue a divorce in New York, and have questions about residency requirements or other issues, the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC, is here to assist you. Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a divorce attorney.
Many New York residents are unclear about what it takes to qualify for divorce. Putting residency requirements aside and before you get into property dispute issues, there exists a hurdle that must be met under New York law. This is to say that you need a legally acceptable reason to terminate a marriage. New York is not a state that accepts Irreconcilable Differences in its Domestic Relations Law. This has caused a great deal of controversy and has garnered much attention over the years. A March 31, 2009 article in the New York Daily News by Jose Martinez touched on how this has caused New York couples unnecessary aggravation (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/state_of_shame/2009/04/01/2009-04-01_how_albany_is_divorced_from_real_world_n.html).
Domestic Relations Law in New York provides the acceptable divorce grounds to be:
1) cruel and inhuman treatment
2) abandonment for a period of 1 year or longer
3) imprisonment for a 3 year period subsequent to the date of marriage
4) adultery
5) conversion of a judgment of separation
6) conversion of a separation agreement after 1 year
Please note that New York now allows a no-fault divorce under DRL section 170(7).
Not sure if you fall into one of these categories? Call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC today at (516) 858 – 2620!
Please visit our Family Law and Divorce categories to learn more about Family Law and Divorce issues.
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