Voted Best Long Island Divorce Lawyer

Simonetti & Associates, Nassau County Divorce Lawyer

Nassau Family Esq

Achieving your objectives and controlling costs in your divorce

Simonetti & Associates understands that regardless of your net worth, you don’t want to squander money on your divorce. We strive to provide the high-quality legal representation you expect from a prestigious firm while working to keep your legal costs at a minimum. Whether you live in Massapequa, Huntington, Smithtown, Hicksville, Great Neck, Riverhead, or any town in between, voted Best Divorce Lawyer on Long Island, Simonetti & Associates is here to help.

Serving Long Island for more than 30 years

Simonetti & Associates has represented the residents of Long Island since 1990. Our founding member is a born-and-raised native of Long Island who has practiced law here his entire career. We understand the issues that most concern members of your community. Our main office, located in Syosset, New York, has available parking and is near major highways. We also maintain an office in downtown New York for our clients’ convenience.

Our attorneys have more than 30 years of experience managing complex cases, primarily focused on the areas of divorce, divorce mediation and other family law matters. We can put our experience to work for you.


 

How Should I Tell My Spouse I Want A Divorce?

Deciding on whether or not you are ready for a divorce is a huge decision. An even bigger decision is how you are going to tell your spouse. If your spouse is not on the same page as you when it comes to divorce, the situation can get a bit tricky. The divorce process is difficult, frustrating, and intimidating, which is why you want to go into it with little complication. Telling your spouse in a  way that gets your point across without stirring up issues is essential in moving forward with a quick and simple divorce. If you are looking to get a divorce, but don’t know how to tell your partner, we can help. At Simonetti & Associates, we are here to help you have a new start. If you need a Nassau Family Esq, you can trust us to guide you in the right direction.  Below, we have listed some tips on breaking the news to your spouse. 

Take some timeNassau family esq

Don’t tell your spouse you want a divorce if you haven’t put serious thought into it. A divorce is a considerable change to your life, and unless you are certain, there is no need to say anything if you are unsure. You also do not want your spouse to convince you your marriage is okay if you know nothing else will work. You can also talk to other family members or a therapist. 

Choose the right time and place

Telling your spouse you want a divorce is like ripping off a bandage. Don’t announce your desire for a divorce and expect no argument afterward, unless you are certain the feelings are mutual. Make sure you and your spouse have undivided attention, so you both can effectively communicate your feelings.

Be calm

When delivering news of a divorce, your spouse may be in denial. There is no reason to raise your voice or lash on your spouse. The first conversation should not be violent since divorce is a process. 

Consider custody

When going through a divorce it is so important to iron out any issues when it comes to the custody of a child. Delaying those conversations can make the process even more difficult as time goes on. There are Several factors a Nassau Family Esq will urge you to consider when custody of children is applicable:

  • Location of the parents
  • The mental capacity of the parents
  • Which parent was the primary caregiver of the child

Legal Terms

When both you and your spouse are on the same terms, it is crucial that you work with your Nassau Family Esq to make sure each step of the process is executed properly. In New York, the divorce process is broken down into several steps:

  1. Filing
  2. Serving the Defendant
  3. Defendant’s Response
  4. Calendaring
  5. Judgment

Divorces can get ugly. If you and your spouse are not in agreement, a lawyer can help. At Simonetti & Associates, we can provide you with assistance from the best Nassau Family Esq. Contact us today for your FREE consultation!


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    How To Legally Change Your Last Name

    Going through a divorce is stressful for everyone involved. There are many steps you have to take to finalize the divorce before things start to die down. There is one thing you need to take care of once the papers are finally signed, changing your last name. If your divorce has been finalized and your last name still is not changed there are a few tips we can offer to make sure everything goes smoothly. 

     

    If there isn’t a court order that allows you to change your last name, then you should request the court to reviews this situation. Dealing with the law on your own can be tricky, that’s why you may want to contact a lawyer. Luckily, Simonetti & Associates has an experienced staff equipped to handle all your questions and concerns. When you hire a Nassau Family Esq, you’ll be able to make the process of changing your last name as simple as possible.

    What do I need with me when I change my last name?Nassau family esq

    It is essential to have the following documents with you while you are in the process of changing your last name. Be sure to consult with your Nassau Family Esq if you have any questions about the following documents: 

    • For starters, you’ll need a certified copy of your NY divorce decree
    • Proof of Identification
      • Your driver’s license or passport will do.
    • Proof of age
      • You could present an adoption decree, hospital records, or your birth certificate.

    What needs to be updated after my last name is legally changed:

    There are two major government agencies you’ll need to notify as soon as you change your name. One of them is the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the other is the Social Security Office. Once you have the certificate granting your name change from the Social Security you can then take the documents to the Office Department of Motor Vehicles. You will receive your new social security card and license within a few weeks! Your Nassau Family Esq will remind you of the following personal identifications that will also have to be updated:

    • Your passport
    • Bank accounts
    • Credit cards 
    • Mortgages or deeds
    • Insurance policies  
    • Bills 
      • Phone, cable, utilities, etc..
    • Voter Registration 
    • School or Work forms
      • Student loans, payroll, retirement plans.

    Being prepared will help make changing your last name a stress-free experience. With the help of a Nassau Family Esq, at Simonetti & Associates, we’ll be able to guide you through this process with little to no problems. With over 30 years of experience, Lou Simonetti is the one to call with all of your legal questions and concerns when it comes to divorce. Visit our website for more information on our firm and to schedule a consultation today!


    Should I get an attorney for Child Custody?

    Divorce proceedings can be tumultuous experiences for all involved parties, especially in Long Island. The New York court system is well renowned for denying the option of joint custody. This leads to the embittering and prolonging the experience as both parties fight for sole custody while attempting to avoid the complications of child support. Our divorce lawyers in Suffolk County offer knowledgeable representation with realistic perspectives into your options. Our firm can provide cost-effective and courtroom effective methods for child custody cases of all kinds.

    Why should I get a divorce attorney?

    With each state having their own divorce laws with unique clauses and considerations, you may not know what to do. Many don’t know their allocation of rights over their child, nor understand exactly what aspects of one’s life attribute to this allocation. It is important to get a lawyer well versed in the safety of your child, as many family and divorce attorneys are not properly specialized in managing child placement. Your case will require complete understanding for all possible nuances of law combined with your personalized situation.

    Here are some of the situations for which a Nassau Family Esq is required:

    • Your Ex has a divorce attorney: If the courtroom is a battlefield, you can’t be caught overwhelmed and without your armada. Should your Ex seek an attorney for your case, you immediately are operating under a disadvantage should you choose to not pursue the same. With professional assistance on their side, the case could turn in their favor. Combat this with an experienced Nassau Family Esq to fight in your favor.
    • You are being required to enroll in classes: If you are asked to take anger management classes, parenting classes, drug or alcohol treatments, or any serious re-training regiment, you are already at a disadvantage. The court does not look favorably upon these assignments, so to regain your advantage you will need professional legal counsel.
    • Your Ex is trying to unlawfully keep the kids from visitation: If your Ex frequently cancels visits, or attempts to restrict your contact with your children, you will need to fight these occurrences in a court of law. You are permitted access to your children as outlined in any previous court proceedings, and refusal to comply can bring your case back to court in your favor.
    • Your case crosses jurisdictions: If your case crosses jurisdictions (such as different states or countries), an attorney is especially critical to understand each regional system in symbiosis with your case. The law of each region can vary wildly and can become favorable or disadvantageous as a result.
    • Your Ex could be a danger to your children: If you believe this, contact a divorce lawyer immediately. Your child’s safety is critical. You will have to take the proper precautions to keep your Ex away from your children, including restraining orders and full custody without visitation. 
    • Your case becomes complicated: There are many reasons that a case can become suddenly complex during its progression. Your Ex could be attempting to convince the court of your inability to care for your child, or may make unexpected moves that you are unprepared for. You could be relocating, marrying, or moving in with a significant other. Additionally, you could be considering child support modifications or child custody modifications after the conclusion of your original case. If you have any concerns about an aspect of your case, a Nassau Family Esq can meet with you for a consultation.

    Qualified Nassau Family Esq

    For experienced legal representation from our divorce lawyers in Suffolk County area, contact Simonetti & Associates. Call 877-385-2560 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation with our legal team. 


    Same Sex Divorce

    On July 24th, 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo legalized same-sex marriage in the state of New York. Several years later on June 26, 2015, the supreme court ruled Obergefell v. Hodges in favor of that same fundamental right to apply across all states. In the years between this historic event and former President Bill Clinton’s original banning of federally recognized gay marriages, entitled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), laws and protections became frustrating to navigate from state to state. Although same-sex marriage is now considered no different legally from any other marriage, it’s prior legal implications and commitments can cause issues for divorcing couples. At Simonetti and Associates, we offer the best Nassau Family Esq to help you navigate this confusing legal landscape so you can proceed with your divorce with ease.

     

    The largest complication stemming from this legalization process is based entirely on the state’s individual concepts on when a partnership became legally viable. The time at which a marriage is officially started becomes a major sticking point in divorce cases where asset division and the possibility of alimony comes into play. The shortened period of marriage may result in incorrect division of assets for alimony. Some states rarely offer the blanket protection of ‘Palimony’, a system similar to alimony for non married couples, but this distinction is complex within court and is rarely awarded. For same-sex couples who were living together prior to marriage, it comes out to semantics. If a couple has been together for 15 years, but only married for 2 at the time of their divorce, it is sometimes not legally clear as to if the proceedings should rely on the eyes of current law or the eyes of realistic divisions of opportunity vs commitment.

     

    In situations where one party purchased a home or expensive asset prior to your marriage, the judge could consider that asset to be a separate property immune from division. This can become further complicated by the issue of parenthood in same-sex partnerships. Many courts will award custody to the biological parent of a child. If the non-biological parent had not formally adopted the child prior to divorce proceedings, it is possible that the court may not award parental rights entirely. Contact the best Nassau Family Esq to make sure that you are properly awarded your assets during a divorce.

     

    The law becomes further complicated when domestic partnership arrangements are brought into the mix. Prior to a state’s legalization of same-sex marriage, many couples took to domestic parterships in effort to maintain some sort of lawfully recognized union. These partnerships offer similar benefits of financial asset combinations and legally recognized companionship, but now offer more complications. Some states dissolved same-sex domestic partnerships into marriage immediately following their respective rulings, but a large portion of states allowed the pre-legalization rulings to remain. Should a couple have entered a domestic partnership prior to a marriage, and now wish to divorce, several states treat both unions as separate entities that must be settled in separate court appointments. 

     

    For further information regarding the history and current status of gay-marriage laws, please contact your local Nassau Family Esq at Simonetti & Associates. We will work to protect your rights in a same-sex divorce regardless of your relationship position or legal marriage landscape.

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