Contested Divorce Lawyer Manhattan

Manhattan divorces do not all follow the same path through New York County Supreme Court. Some couples reach agreement on every issue, while others dispute the grounds for divorce, the custody of their children, spousal maintenance, or how to divide marital property, and a judge must resolve those disagreements before a divorce judgment can be entered. This is what attorneys mean by a contested divorce, as distinct from an uncontested filing where the parties have already resolved every issue between them. A contested Manhattan divorce can involve motion practice, financial disclosure, and potentially a trial, depending on how much common ground the parties can find as the case proceeds. The Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, represents clients throughout contested divorce litigation in New York County Supreme Court, from the initial filing through resolution of custody, support, and property disputes. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. and a former prosecutor, applies courtroom experience to contested matters where the parties cannot agree on key terms. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work with clients to identify the issues genuinely in dispute, gather the financial and factual information needed to support their position, and represent their interests through negotiation or litigation as the case requires. The firm does not offer free consultations, but clients considering or facing a contested divorce in Manhattan can request a scheduled consultation to discuss their situation. For assistance with a contested divorce matter, call the Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

On this page

What a Contested Divorce Means in Manhattan

Under New York’s Domestic Relations Law, a divorce action may be maintained on any of seven enumerated grounds under DRL §170. Six of these grounds are fault-based: cruel and inhuman treatment, abandonment, imprisonment of the defendant, adultery, living apart pursuant to a separation judgment, and living apart pursuant to a written separation agreement. The seventh ground is a no-fault option that allows a party to swear that the marriage has broken down irretrievably for a period of six months or more, though a judgment on that ground cannot be entered until the court has resolved the ancillary economic and custody issues in the case. A divorce becomes contested when the parties disagree about any of several possible issues: the grounds asserted for the divorce itself, custody or parenting time for their children, spousal maintenance, child support, or how marital property and debts should be divided. Even a couple who agrees on the ground for divorce may still have a contested case if they cannot agree on how to divide a marital residence, a retirement account, or a closely held business, or if they disagree about a parenting schedule. In a contested case, New York County Supreme Court oversees a process that can include financial disclosure from both parties, motions addressing temporary support or custody arrangements while the case is pending, and, if the parties cannot settle, a trial where a judge decides the disputed issues. Many contested divorces resolve through negotiation or settlement before trial becomes necessary, but preparing a case as though it may proceed to trial often puts a party in a stronger position to negotiate a favorable resolution. Because a contested divorce touches so many aspects of a family’s life and finances, the issues involved are often interconnected. For example, a decision about custody can affect which parent occupies the marital residence, which in turn can influence how the parties approach dividing other assets. Understanding how these issues interact is an important part of navigating a contested divorce in Manhattan.

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

When a client comes to the firm with a contested divorce, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys begin by identifying which issues are genuinely disputed and which may have room for agreement. This assessment shapes the overall strategy, since a case with a single contested issue, such as the value of a business, calls for a different approach than a case where the parties disagree about custody, support, and property division all at once. The team works with clients to gather the financial records, communications, and other documentation needed to support their position on the disputed issues, whether that involves establishing income for a support calculation or documenting the character of an asset as marital or separate property. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent clients in motion practice before New York County Supreme Court, including requests for temporary relief while a contested case is pending, and prepare cases with an eye toward trial even when settlement remains the goal, since thorough preparation often supports a stronger negotiating position. Mr. Sris draws on his background as a former prosecutor when a contested divorce requires presenting evidence and argument to a judge, and his accounting and information systems background from George Mason University has been applied to cases involving complex financial disclosures or business valuation questions. Throughout a contested divorce, the team keeps clients informed about the status of their case and the realistic range of outcomes given the facts involved, without guaranteeing a particular result. Clients considering a contested divorce filing, or who have been served with one, can request a consultation with the firm to discuss the grounds, the disputed issues, and the process ahead in New York County Supreme Court.

About the Attorney

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of the firm and a former prosecutor. That courtroom background shapes how the firm approaches contested divorce litigation in Manhattan, where cases can turn on a judge’s assessment of the evidence and testimony presented at a hearing or trial. Mr. Sris founded the firm in 1997 and has since worked on family law matters throughout the New York City area and beyond. He is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris studied at George Mason University, where he built a background in accounting and information systems. That background has been applied to complex financial and technology-related cases, including contested divorces where business valuation, income analysis, or the tracing of assets plays a significant role in the outcome. The firm’s family law practice also includes Of Counsel attorneys who contract directly with the firm and contribute to the handling of contested matrimonial matters. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work together across the stages of a contested divorce, from the initial filing and financial disclosure process through negotiation, motion practice, and trial preparation when necessary. The firm does not offer free consultations. Clients who want to discuss a contested divorce with the team can request a scheduled consultation to review the issues in dispute and the options available under New York law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a Manhattan divorce “contested” rather than uncontested?

A divorce is contested when the spouses disagree about one or more issues that New York County Supreme Court must resolve before entering a judgment, such as the ground for divorce, custody or parenting time, spousal maintenance, child support, or how to divide marital property. An uncontested divorce, by contrast, involves spouses who have already reached agreement on every issue. Some cases start as contested and settle before trial once the parties exchange financial information and negotiate, while others proceed to a trial where a judge decides the disputed issues. Whether a case is contested from the outset or becomes contested later, the presence of even one disputed issue changes how the case is litigated.

What are the grounds for divorce in New York?

New York recognizes seven grounds for divorce under DRL §170. Six are fault-based: cruel and inhuman treatment, abandonment for one year or more, imprisonment of the defendant for three or more consecutive years, adultery, living apart under a separation judgment, and living apart under a written separation agreement, each for at least six months with proof of substantial performance. The seventh ground is no-fault, allowing a party to state under oath that the marriage has broken down irretrievably for six months or more, though the court cannot enter judgment on that ground until it resolves the case’s economic and custody issues.

Can a contested divorce still settle before trial?

Yes. Many contested divorces in Manhattan resolve through negotiation or settlement before reaching trial, even after the parties have engaged in financial disclosure and motion practice. Settlement can happen at any stage of a contested case, and preparing thoroughly, including gathering financial records and evidence to support your position, often strengthens a party’s position in settlement discussions. If the parties cannot reach agreement on the remaining issues, New York County Supreme Court will hold a trial where a judge decides the disputed matters based on the evidence and testimony presented.

How long does a contested divorce take in Manhattan?

The length of a contested divorce depends on the number and complexity of the issues in dispute, the court’s schedule, and how the parties engage with the process, among other factors specific to each case. No two contested divorces proceed on exactly the same timeline. Rather than offering a general estimate, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys can review the specific issues in your case and discuss what to reasonably expect procedurally as your matter moves through New York County Supreme Court.

What issues commonly get disputed in a contested divorce?

Common areas of dispute in a Manhattan contested divorce include custody and parenting time for children, spousal maintenance, child support, and the division of marital property such as a residence, retirement accounts, investments, or a business interest. Parties may also dispute the ground asserted for the divorce itself. Because these issues often interact, a decision on one, such as which parent will occupy the marital residence, can affect how the parties or the court approach another, such as the division of remaining assets. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys can help identify which issues are genuinely disputed in your case.

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.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.