Suffolk County Starting a Divorce Proceeding

To start a divorce proceeding in Suffolk County New York you need to go through the preliminary steps as follows:

1. Determine residency: To file for divorce in New York, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least two years.
2. Choose the type of divorce: New York offers both contested and uncontested divorces.
3. File the divorce papers: The spouse who initiates the divorce must file a Summons with Notice or a Summons and Complaint with the county Clerk’s office in the county where they reside.
4. Serve the papers: The spouse who filed the divorce papers must serve the other spouse with the papers.
5. Wait for a response: The other spouse has 20 days to respond to the divorce papers if they were served in New York and 30 days if they were served outside of the state.
6. Attend court hearings: If the divorce is contested, both spouses may need to attend court hearings to resolve any disputes.

Note: The process for divorce can be complicated and it is recommended to seek the advice of a qualified attorney for more information and assistance.