{"id":375361,"date":"2017-05-02T18:56:47","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T23:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-york-law\/your-new-york-divorce-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2024-09-06T16:18:32","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T21:18:32","slug":"your-new-york-divorce-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-york-law\/your-new-york-divorce-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Your New York Divorce: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your New York Divorce: The Basics<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When you said your vows, you never imagined you would one day file for divorce. Nobody enters a marriage thinking that things won’t work out. New York City’s divorce rate fluctuates each year<\/a> but stays near 2 per 1,000 people.<\/p>\r\n

If you’re considering divorce, you should familiarize yourself with the New York divorce process<\/a>. Here, we’ll explain the basics of a New York divorce. We’ll also discuss how New York law affects things like alimony, child custody, and division of property.<\/p>\r\n

If you still have questions about your divorce case, contact an experienced New York divorce attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Do You or Your Spouse Live in New York?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Every state has specific requirements to qualify for divorce. One of these is a residency requirement<\/a>. In New York, either you or your spouse must be a resident of New York State<\/a> for a specific period of time before you can file for divorce.<\/p>\r\n

The exact time rule depends on your circumstances. According to the New York courts, you must meet one of the following criteria to file for divorce:<\/p>\r\n