Contested Divorce Lawyer Bronx County

A divorce becomes contested in Bronx County when the spouses cannot agree on one or more issues the court must resolve, whether that disagreement concerns the ground for divorce itself, the division of marital property, spousal maintenance, or, where children are involved, custody and child support. New York Domestic Relations Law §170 sets out seven grounds on which a divorce action may be brought, and a contested case can involve a dispute over which ground applies, a dispute over the underlying facts supporting that ground, or, more often, a dispute over the ancillary financial and custody issues that DRL §170(7) requires to be resolved before a no-fault judgment can even enter. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent Bronx County spouses through contested divorce litigation from filing through trial, when a case does not settle. The firm concentrates in New York matrimonial law and prepares each contested case by identifying, early on, which specific issues are actually disputed and which are not, so that the case can be litigated efficiently around the real points of disagreement. The firm does not offer free consultations, and the intake line is staffed 24/7. To discuss a contested divorce in Bronx County, call (888) 437-7747.

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What a Contested Divorce Means in Bronx County

DRL §170 authorizes a divorce action on any of seven grounds: cruel and inhuman treatment; abandonment for one year or more; imprisonment of the defendant for three or more consecutive years after the marriage; the commission of an act of adultery, as statutorily defined; living apart for six months or more under a separation judgment with substantial performance of its terms; living apart for six months or more under a written, acknowledged separation agreement with substantial performance; and the no-fault ground of an irretrievable breakdown of the relationship for at least six months, sworn to by one party. A divorce is “contested” not because of which ground is pleaded, but because the spouses disagree about something the court must decide, which can include the ground itself, but more commonly includes the financial and custody issues that accompany the divorce.

Under DRL §170(7), no judgment of divorce may be granted on the no-fault ground until the economic issues of equitable distribution, spousal maintenance, child support, and counsel and expert fees, as well as custody and visitation of any children, have been resolved by agreement or by court determination. In practice, this means that even a case where the spouses agree on the ground for divorce can still be heavily contested over these ancillary issues, and it is often these financial and custody disputes, rather than the ground itself, that drive the litigation in a contested Bronx County divorce. Because a contested case can involve extended discovery, motion practice, and potentially a trial in the New York State trial courts in Bronx County, the issues in dispute typically need to be identified and developed carefully from the outset.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle These Cases

When a Bronx County spouse retains the firm for a contested divorce, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys begin by identifying which of the seven DRL §170 grounds fits the facts, or whether the no-fault ground under DRL §170(7) is the more practical path, and then turn to mapping out which ancillary issues, such as equitable distribution, maintenance, custody, or child support, are genuinely in dispute. This early scoping work shapes the entire litigation strategy, since a contested divorce that is disputed primarily over property division looks very different from one disputed primarily over custody.

From there, the firm represents clients through discovery, negotiation, and, where a case does not settle, litigation in the New York State trial courts in Bronx County, working to resolve the disputed issues through settlement where possible and preparing for trial where necessary. The firm coordinates the financial and custody aspects of a contested case together, since the DRL §170(7) requirement that ancillary issues be resolved before judgment means these pieces of the case are rarely fully separable. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys concentrate in New York matrimonial law and bring that focus to every contested divorce the firm accepts. The firm does not guarantee any particular outcome in litigation, and results depend on the facts, evidence, and disputed issues specific to each case. Clients can call the firm’s 24/7 intake line to schedule a consultation about a contested divorce in Bronx County.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997 and is a former prosecutor admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background as a former prosecutor shapes how he prepares contested matters generally, with an emphasis on organizing facts and evidence clearly before a case reaches a hearing or trial. His background in accounting and information systems from George Mason University further supports his work on the financial aspects of contested divorces. Mr. Sris practices in New York matrimonial law, including contested litigation under DRL §170.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with the firm and concentrate in family law and matrimonial litigation. Together, they bring a combined focus to Bronx County contested divorces: careful early scoping of the disputed issues and disciplined preparation for negotiation or trial. The firm does not offer free consultations, and consultations are scheduled by appointment. Call (888) 437-7747, where intake is available 24/7, to schedule a consultation about a contested divorce in Bronx County.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a divorce “contested” rather than “uncontested” in New York?

A divorce is contested when the spouses disagree on one or more issues the court must resolve, which can include the ground for divorce, equitable distribution, maintenance, custody, or child support, rather than agreeing on all of these issues from the start.

What are the grounds for divorce in New York?

DRL §170 lists seven grounds: cruel and inhuman treatment, abandonment for one year or more, imprisonment for three or more consecutive years, adultery as statutorily defined, a separation judgment lived under for six months or more, a written separation agreement lived under for six months or more, and the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown for at least six months.

Can a divorce be contested even if both spouses want to end the marriage?

Yes. Even where both spouses agree the marriage should end, a case can still be contested if they disagree about the ancillary issues, such as property division, maintenance, or custody, that DRL §170(7) requires to be resolved before a no-fault judgment can enter.

How long does a contested divorce take in Bronx County?

Timelines vary based on the complexity of the disputed issues, the court’s schedule, and how the parties litigate the case. The firm does not state a specific timeframe because none is verified as a fixed figure.

Will a contested divorce go to trial?

Not always. Many contested cases resolve through settlement negotiation before trial, but the firm prepares each case as though it may proceed to trial in the New York State trial courts in Bronx County if settlement is not reached.

Does the firm represent both spouses in a contested divorce?

No single case; the firm represents one spouse per matter and does not represent both sides of the same contested divorce, consistent with standard conflict-of-interest practice.

This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

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