Divorce Lawyer in Oyster Bay, NY
Voted Best Long Island Divorce Lawyer. Serving Oyster Bay families from our Westbury office.
Local Divorce Representation for Oyster Bay Families.
Simonetti & Associates has represented Long Island residents since 1990. Our main office is in Westbury, a short drive from Oyster Bay, Syosset, Woodbury, Jericho, Hicksville, Plainview, Bethpage, Massapequa, Bayville, Locust Valley, and the surrounding communities, so clients throughout the Town of Oyster Bay can meet with their attorney close to home.
We understand that regardless of your net worth, you don’t want to squander money on your divorce. We work to provide the high-quality representation you expect from a prestigious firm while keeping your legal costs as low as possible.
Free Consultations & Affordable Counsel.
Every case starts with a free consultation, and our lawyers offer high-quality counsel at affordable rates.
Extensive Experience.
Our attorneys have more than 75 years of combined experience, focused primarily on divorce, divorce mediation, and other family law matters.
Highly-Rated.
Our firm has been voted Best Divorce Lawyer on Long Island for the past 10+ years.
Our Westbury Office.
Simonetti & Associates
1400 Old Country Rd, Suite 105N
Westbury, NY 11590
(877) 385-2560
Our Westbury office in central Nassau County is a short drive from communities throughout the Town of Oyster Bay. We also keep flexible office hours, return calls after hours, and can meet with you virtually when that is more convenient.
Grounds for Divorce in New York.
New York law requires every divorce to be based on one of the grounds listed in the Domestic Relations Law. Most divorces today use the no-fault ground.
- Irretrievable breakdown: The marriage has been broken down irretrievably for at least six months. The divorce cannot be finalized until property division, support, counsel fees, and custody issues are resolved.
- Cruel and inhuman treatment: Conduct that makes it unsafe or improper for the spouses to continue living together.
- Abandonment: A spouse has abandoned the marriage for one year or more.
- Imprisonment: A spouse has been in prison for three or more consecutive years after the marriage.
- Adultery: Proof must go beyond the testimony of the spouses themselves.
- Living apart after a separation: The spouses have lived apart for the period required by law under a judgment of separation or a written separation agreement, and the spouse filing has substantially complied with its terms.
Residency Requirements.
To file for divorce in New York, at least one of the following must apply:
- You were married in New York, and either spouse has lived in the state for one continuous year before filing.
- You lived in New York as a married couple, and either spouse has lived in the state for one continuous year before filing.
- The grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and either spouse has lived in the state for one continuous year before filing.
- The grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and both spouses live in New York when the case is filed.
- Either spouse has lived in New York for two continuous years before filing.
Divorces for Oyster Bay residents are typically handled by the Nassau County Supreme Court, with matrimonial cases heard at the Matrimonial Center in Mineola.
How We Help Oyster Bay Clients.
Whether your divorce is amicable or contested, our attorneys handle every part of the process, from the first filing to the final judgment.
Property & Assets.
New York divides marital property through equitable distribution, which means fairly, not necessarily equally. We work to identify all marital assets, including any a spouse may try to hide, and protect your share of your home, retirement accounts, and business interests.
Custody & Support.
Custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child. We advocate for custody and parenting time arrangements that protect your relationship with your children, and we handle child support and spousal maintenance.
Negotiation & Mediation.
Many divorces settle without a trial. We negotiate with your spouse’s attorney, evaluate every settlement offer, and offer divorce mediation for couples who want to resolve things together. When a case must go to court, we are prepared to advocate for you.
Ways to Keep Your Divorce Costs Down.
- Settle what you can. Issues you and your spouse resolve through negotiation or mediation don’t have to be litigated, which saves time and legal fees.
- Know your priorities. Deciding early what matters most to you helps focus your attorney’s time on the issues that count.
- Get organized. Gathering tax returns, bank and retirement statements, and other financial records before you meet with your attorney reduces the time spent collecting them.
- File paperwork correctly the first time. Errors in divorce forms can cause delays and additional costs.
- Ask about counsel fees. Under New York law, there is a rebuttable presumption that the less-monied spouse will be awarded counsel fees, so the spouse with greater financial resources may be ordered to contribute to the other spouse’s legal fees.
Meet Our Attorneys.
Partner
Of Counsel
Founder & Managing Partner
Associate Attorney
What Our Clients Say.
Anonymous
Mr. Simonetti moved my divorce along very quickly, getting me a favorable settlement and saving me money. After settling, he returned the balance on my retainer! This kind of honesty is a rare quality among lawyers, but it was clear Mr. Simonetti was a man of integrity. I am so happy with my post-divorce life thanks to him and I'm grateful for all of the time and money he saved me!
Bernadette
My divorce was extremely stressful before I began working with him. My ex-husband and I's family and careers had grown vastly since we first married, leaving a lot to contend with 20 years later. I felt guided throughout the process and felt at ease knowing I was in good hands. Although a divorce is not something I would wish on anyone, he is the best Long Island attorney to help you through it. I'm ready for my next chapter!
Anonymous
Want to send a big thank you to the office for the great work they did on my divorce. Tim Fallon was particularly helpful, as I dealt mostly with him. He was always available, super knowledgeable, and ultimately was able to get a pretty great deal for me. Tim was also able to provide a unique perspective on many of the issues given his experience and it was really comforting knowing I had such a competent attorney in my corner.
Samantha
Louis Simonetti is an exceptional divorce lawyer. I’m really happy with the outcome of my divorce. He really advocated for me and made this dark period of my life less dreary.
Jacob
Went to Simonetti & associates after a bad experience at another firm. Lou and his staff were very attentive to my case, answering all my questions about the divorce process and the direction of my case. Lou, Charlotte, Tim, and the entire staff were very helpful in returning emails, calls, and texts at all hours of the day. I appreciate the hard work and dedication they put into my case, resolving it as quickly as possible. It was a stressful time, but I got through it thanks to Lou and the rest of Simonetti & associates. Thank you
Jackie
Lou Simonetti did more to bring my divorce to a conclusion in six months than my first attorney did in the 3 years before I switched. While Lou remained professional throughout the process, he was appropriately aggressive. He worked hard to bring this situation to a satisfactory conclusion while keeping the costs down. All options were explained thoroughly, keeping me updated at all times. He was also great at returning phone calls and emails. I would strongly recommend Simonetti & Associates without question!!
Anthony
I went to Simonetti & Associates after my first attorney was awful. Mr. Simonetti and his team helped me tremendously through a tough period in my life, and a rough divorce. Mr. Simonetti was always prepared, knowledgeable, and very helpful. He always answered all of my questions and responded quickly. Thanks to Simonetti & associates a tough time is in the past.
Philip
Mr. Simonetti and his team of attorneys helped me tremendously throughout my divorce. While it was not easy their professional staff made it go as smoothly as possible. Their attention to detail and knowledge made me feel as comfortable as possible going through this tough time. I highly recommend his services to all seeking representation in a Divorce matter. A high-quality attorney for an affordable price. Thank you, Simonetti & Associates
Nick
I hired Lou Simonetti about half way through my case. The first lawyer I used was very expensive and I did not feel like i was was getting the attention I need. My wife's lawyer was very aggressive and he was able to get me the result I needed. Lou was always professional and very attentive to my concerns. His billing was fair and his entire staff was very professional. I will recommend his firm to anyone I know going thru a divorce.
Oyster Bay Divorce FAQs.
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong?
No. New York allows no-fault divorce when the marriage has been irretrievably broken for at least six months.
Can I get financial support while the divorce is pending?
Yes. The court can order temporary spousal maintenance and temporary child support while the case is ongoing.
How is custody decided?
Judges decide custody based on the best interests of the child, considering factors such as each parent’s relationship with the child, who has been the primary caregiver, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
Can a divorce agreement be changed later?
Often, yes. Custody and child support can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Changing spousal maintenance that was set by a separation or settlement agreement is harder and generally requires showing extreme hardship.
I’m unhappy with my current divorce lawyer. Can I switch?
Yes. If you are not satisfied with your current representation, contact us to discuss how we can help you transition to our firm.
Where is your office?
Our main office is at 1400 Old Country Rd, Suite 105N, in Westbury, a short drive from the Town of Oyster Bay.
Contact our Oyster Bay divorce lawyers today for a free consultation.
If you are in the beginning stages of divorce or unhappy with your current attorney, we can help. Contact us online or call us at (877) 385-2560 today.
This page provides general information about New York divorce law and is not legal advice. Attorney Advertising.
