How to Get a Quick Divorce in New York

A quck divorce is beneficial for all involved.

The easiest way to get a quick divorce in New York is to have an uncontested divorce, meaning both you and your spouse desire a divorce and agree on the stipulations in the divorce regarding child custody, child support, and marital debt and property issues. In order to file for divorce in New York, you or your spouse must have lived in New York for at least one year and be able to state the grounds, or reasons, for your divorce, such as separation for at least one year, cruelty, abandonment or adultery.

Instructions

1. Get the Uncontested Divorce Packet from the clerk's office at the local New York Family Court in your area. A list of courthouses is available under Resources.

2. Fill out the Summons with Notice form. The Summons tells the court that you are the plaintiff, your spouse is the respondent, and that you are seeking a divorce. Make two copies.

3. File the Summons with the court. Pay the fee for the index number, which will be assigned to your court documents. The court clerk will tell you the index fee amount and the acceptable forms of payment. Apply for a Poor Person's Waiver if you cannot afford to pay the index fee.

4. Serve your spouse with a copy of the Summons and the Affidavit of Defendant form. Any adult can serve your spouse with the papers. Your spouse should sign the Affidavit of Defendant form, which tells the court that your spouse is not contesting the divorce. This will allow your divorce case to immediately be placed on the court docket.

5. Complete the Child Support Worksheet, Support Information Sheet and Child Support Order forms if you and your spouse have minor children.

6. File your completed forms, along with the Affidavit of Defendant form that was signed by your spouse, with the court clerk. The clerk will submit your papers to the judge who then will sign the Judgment of Divorce form and you officially will be divorced. Neither you nor your spouse will have to go to court.

References

• Women's Law.org: NY Divorce Basics

Resources

• NY State Courts
• New York City Courts