Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Nassau County, New York
In Nassau County, divorce is governed by New York Domestic Relations Law § 170, requiring a 6-month irretrievable breakdown. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides full family law representation, handling divorce, child custody under the “best interests” standard, and equitable distribution. Our firm-wide experience includes 4,739+ documented case results. We serve clients in Mineola, Garden City, and across Long Island.
New York is a no-fault divorce state, and Nassau County Supreme Court handles all divorce and property division matters, while Family Court addresses custody and support.
New York Family Law Statutes
Family law in Nassau County operates under the New York Domestic Relations Law (DRL) and Family Court Act (FCA). The primary statute for divorce is DRL § 170, which establishes no-fault grounds after a six-month irretrievable breakdown. Equitable distribution of marital property is governed by DRL § 236, which does not mandate a 50/50 split but a fair division based on multiple factors. Child support follows a statutory percentage formula under the Child Support Standards Act. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, brings extensive experience with these statutes. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep legislative insight applicable to complex multi-state or financial cases.
Last verified: March 2026 | Nassau County Supreme Court | New York State Legislature
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of New York’s family law statutes, visit the New York State Senate official legislation site. For Nassau County court forms, procedures, and contact information, refer to the Nassau County Supreme Court official website.
Nassau County Family Court Process
Nassau County Supreme Court handles divorce and equitable distribution, while Family Court handles custody, support, and family offense petitions. The process begins with filing a summons and complaint. Automatic orders under DRL § 236 freeze marital assets upon filing.
- File the Summons with Notice or Summons and Complaint: Initiate the divorce by filing the appropriate papers with the Nassau County Supreme Court Clerk’s Office and paying the $335 index number fee.
- Serve the papers on your spouse: Have the divorce papers formally served on your spouse by a process server or another authorized adult, not involved in the case, following New York service rules.
- File proof of service and request judicial intervention: File the affidavit of service with the court and file a Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI), which assigns your case to a specific judge and costs $95.
- Complete mandatory financial disclosure: Exchange sworn statements of net worth and supporting documents with your spouse. Full financial disclosure is required for all contested financial issues.
- Attend preliminary and compliance conferences: The court will schedule conferences to identify issues, set a discovery schedule, and explore settlement. Attendance by attorneys and often the parties is required.
- Proceed to trial or finalize settlement: If settlement is reached, submit a signed settlement agreement and proposed judgment. If not, the case proceeds to trial before the assigned Supreme Court Justice.
Potential Outcomes in a Nassau County Divorce
In Nassau County, divorce involves equitable distribution of property, potential maintenance (alimony), and child support based on statutory formulas, with no criminal penalties but significant financial and custodial consequences.
| Issue | Legal Standard / Classification | Financial Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce Grounds | No-fault (DRL § 170(7)) | Court costs & filing fees ($335+) | 6-month waiting period |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (DRL § 236) | Division of marital assets & debts | Business valuation may be required |
| Spousal Maintenance | Statutory Formula / Duration (DRL § 236) | Payments based on income & length of marriage | Can be modified upon substantial change |
| Child Support | Child Support Standards Act | 17% of combined income for 1 child, 25% for 2 | Continues until age 21, subject to modification |
| Child Custody | Best Interests of the Child (DRL § 240) | Parenting time expenses | Legal vs. physical custody determinations |
Results may vary. The outcomes above are general legal standards; specific results depend on the unique facts of each case.
Firm Credentials & Local Insight
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and brings over 120 years of combined attorney experience to family law matters in Nassau County. Our tagline, “Global advocacy. Local precision,” reflects our approach. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor, personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3), providing unique insight into property division laws that benefit clients in complex, multi-state, or high-asset divorces.
Documented Case Experience
Firm-wide, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes across our practice areas in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. Our attorneys apply this extensive litigation experience to each Nassau County family law case.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Nassau County Family Law Service
Our New York location serves clients at Nassau County courts, accessible via I-495 (LIE) and the Northern/Southern State Parkways. As a family law lawyer near Nassau County courthouses, we represent clients in Mineola, Garden City, Hempstead, Long Beach, Valley Stream, Hicksville, Levittown, Freeport, Rockville Centre, Glen Cove, Oyster Bay, Great Neck, Massapequa, and Syosset. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New York Location — Buffalo/NY area
Nassau County, NY
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (838)-292-0003
Availability: By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the grounds for divorce in Nassau County, New York?
New York is a no-fault divorce state. The primary ground is an irretrievable breakdown of the relationship for at least six months, as defined in N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 170(7). Fault-based grounds like adultery or cruel treatment still exist but are less common.
How is child support calculated in Nassau County?
Nassau County Family Court follows the New York Child Support Standards Act. For combined parental income up to $163,000, the basic obligation is 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 35% for five or more children. The court has discretion for income above that cap.
What is the difference between Nassau County Supreme Court and Family Court?
The Nassau County Supreme Court handles divorce actions, equitable distribution of marital property, and spousal maintenance (alimony). The Nassau County Family Court handles child custody, visitation, child support, paternity, and family offense (domestic violence) petitions.
How long does a contested divorce take in Nassau County?
A contested divorce in Nassau County typically takes 12 to 24 months or longer. The timeline depends on case complexity, court scheduling, and whether forensic evaluations are needed. An uncontested divorce with a signed agreement can be finalized in 3 to 6 months.
What are automatic orders in a New York divorce?
Under DRL § 236, automatic restraining orders take effect when a divorce is filed. They prohibit both parties from selling or transferring marital assets, changing insurance beneficiaries, or incurring unreasonable debts. These orders remain in place until the divorce is finalized or modified by the court.
Related Legal Resources
For more information, visit our New York Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve clients in New York County (Manhattan) and Kings County (Brooklyn). If you need assistance with other matters, see our Nassau County Criminal Defense Lawyer or Nassau County Immigration Lawyer pages. Learn more about Mr. Sris or our New York office location.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of verification date. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.