Your Matrimonial and Divorce Attorneys in Westchester County | White Plains, NY
The matrimonial and divorce lawyers of Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP dedicate more than 50 years of combined courtroom and negotiation experience to helping their contested divorce and uncontested divorce clients throughout Westchester County, New York.
Of the many questions that we are asked, several of them focus upon what the client should or should not do prior to and during their divorce case. In order to help, we have developed a list for clients to keep in mind whether they are involved in a contested divorce, uncontested divorce or negotiating a legal separation (separation agreement).
Things to DO:
- Be honest with your attorney and be responsive to your attorney's requests for information. In other words, help our divorce and matrimonial lawyers help you by keeping them fully informed.
- Make an inventory of all marital and separate real and personal property with approximate values. This will become useful when it becomes necessary to determine how property will be divided and in preparing a statement of net worth.
- Prepare a package of financial information including but not limited to: tax returns (with W-2s and 1099s), bank statements, securities account information, credit card statements, loan documents, real estate transactions, pay stubs, pension and retirement accounts, health insurance information, professional licenses, etc.
- Prepare a list of all the activities you participate in with your children. Be specific, including names of coaches, teachers, dates and times, etc.
- Prepare a budget of your and your children's monthly expenses. Again, be as detailed as possible. If you can collect copies of regular bills, then you should keep them.
- Clarify for yourself, prior to seeing an attorney, your own important needs, interests and priorities. In other words, what rights, property and interests are you seeking as part of your contested divorce, uncontested divorce and/or legal separation agreement.
Things NOT to DO:
- Do not involve or discuss your divorce case with your children in any manner. Judges in divorce actions will not look favorably upon this and it is greatly discouraged.
- Do not fight, argue with or disparage your spouse. And never argue with, fight or disparage your spouse in front of your children.
- Do not say anything negative about your spouse to your children. This includes not saying anything to third parties who are within the hearing distance of your children. In some cases, disparaging a spouse in front of the children may be seen as an attempt to alienate the children from the spouse and may affect your parental rights.
- Do not deny your spouse visitation or access to your children. If there are issues of domestic violence, abuse, maltreatment, neglect, etc., you should bring this to the attention of your attorney and follow their advice.
- Do not change the locks or deny your spouse entry to the residence without the advice and direction of your lawyer.
Get the Assistance and Protection of a Skilled Divorce and Matrimonial Lawyer
With offices located just blocks from the Westchester County Court in White Plains, New York, our divorce and matrimonial attorneys appear regularly to protect the personal and financial interests of our many clients who come to us from every town, village and city in Westchester County, NY. Since both contested divorce and uncontested divorce actions require the approval of a Supreme Court Judge, our familiarity and proximity to the courthouse allows us to be attentive and available for our clients, especially in emergency situations.
Regardless of what stage of the divorce process, we will be able to help. Our knowledgeable attorneys handle all contested divorces, uncontested divorces, legal separations, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements and post-judgment divorce actions. We have successfully litigated hundreds of divorce, matrimonial and family matters, obtaining favorable awards and settlements for equitable distribution, child support, child custody and visitation, spousal maintenance and support (alimony), and post-judgment enforcement and contempt proceedings, as examples.
Contact a Divorce and Matrimonial Attorney and Get Results
We offer flexible appointment times and free consultations on all divorce and matrimonial matters. Please call us at (914) 946-4808 or Contact Us through our website to arrange an appointment.