Orangetown Divorce Lawyer

Trusted divorce lawyers with over 51 years of experience.

If you are considering a divorce in Orangetown, NY, or if your spouse has already filed, our team is here to help. Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has been handling divorce cases in Rockland County since 1975. Our Orangetown, NY divorce lawyer represents clients through every phase of the process, from filing through final judgment and beyond. We offer free initial consultations. Reach out to our firm to discuss where you stand and what comes next.

Divorce Lawyer Orangetown, NY

An uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on all the terms, follows a streamlined path through the Rockland County Supreme Court. A contested divorce, where disagreements over custody, property, or support remain unresolved, can take a year or more and may require a trial. In either scenario, the process begins with filing a summons and complaint (or summons with notice), purchasing an index number from the County Clerk, and properly serving your spouse. New York’s automatic orders take effect immediately upon filing, freezing both parties from transferring assets, changing insurance policies, or incurring unreasonable debt. Understanding the difference between no-fault and fault grounds matters early on because it shapes your strategy from the start.

Types of Divorce Cases We Handle in Orangetown

Divorce in Orangetown can involve a wide range of legal and financial issues depending on what the couple owns, whether they have children, and how willing each side is to negotiate. Our firm handles the full spectrum. Below are the most common types of cases we see.

• Contested Divorce. When spouses cannot agree on one or more major issues, the case becomes contested. These disputes often center on custody, division of the marital home, or the amount and duration of spousal maintenance. Contested cases require discovery, motion practice, and sometimes trial. They demand an attorney who is prepared to litigate aggressively when negotiations break down.
• Uncontested Divorce. If both spouses agree on all terms, the divorce can proceed without a trial. The paperwork is simpler, the timeline is shorter, and the costs are significantly lower. Even in uncontested cases, having an attorney draft or review the settlement agreement protects you from overlooking something that could become a problem later. Getting an uncontested divorce right the first time saves money and prevents future disputes.
• High Net Worth Divorce. When significant assets are involved, retirement accounts, business interests, investment portfolios, real estate holdings, or stock options, the stakes increase substantially. Valuation disputes are common, and forensic accountants or business appraisers may be necessary. These cases require a divorce attorney who understands marital property rules and knows how to trace separate property claims.
• Equitable Distribution. New York does not split marital property 50/50. Courts apply over a dozen factors under the Domestic Relations Law to determine what is fair given the specific circumstances of the marriage. The length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, contributions as a homemaker or wage earner, and whether either side dissipated assets all come into play.
• Child Custody. When children are involved, custody and support become central to the case. The court determines both legal custody (who makes major decisions) and physical custody (where the children live). Child support follows the Child Support Standards Act formula, but disputes frequently arise over income calculations, add-on expenses, and deviations from the guidelines.
• Spousal Maintenance. Maintenance, formerly called alimony, is governed by statutory formulas in New York. The court considers the income of both spouses, the duration of the marriage, age, health, and whether one spouse gave up career opportunities during the marriage. Understanding the financial realities of divorce helps you plan for what comes after.
• Mediation and Collaborative Divorce. Not every case needs to go to trial. When both spouses are willing to negotiate in good faith, mediation or collaborative divorce can produce a resolution faster, at a lower cost, and with less lasting damage to the family. These approaches still require legal counsel. Having your own attorney review any agreement before you sign is not optional.

Why Choose Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for Divorce in Orangetown, NY?

Proven Results in Rockland County Divorce Cases

Randy J. Perlmutter concentrates his practice on divorce and family law and has been doing so for over two decades. He is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, including federal courts in both states, and became a partner at the firm in 2007. Before entering private practice, he worked as a Regional Director and Human Resources Manager for a national retail corporation and later served as in-house counsel for a high-end fashion company. That background gives him a practical understanding of business valuation, employment income, and financial disclosure issues that frequently arise in divorce cases. He has been named a Super Lawyer in New York each year since 2021 and holds a law degree from New York Law School.

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has represented clients in Rockland County divorce matters for more than fifty years. If you need a family law lawyer in Orangetown, NY, our firm has the depth to handle complex contested cases and the judgment to resolve straightforward ones efficiently.

Divorce Case Overview

Grounds for Divorce in New York

New York requires legal grounds before a court will dissolve a marriage. Since 2010, the state has offered a no-fault option: irretrievable breakdown of the relationship for at least six months, filed under DRL § 170(7). This is what most people file. You do not need to prove your spouse did anything wrong.

Fault-based grounds remain available and are sometimes used strategically. They include:

• Cruel and inhuman treatment that makes it unsafe or improper to continue living together
• Abandonment for one year or more, which can be actual (leaving) or constructive (locking a spouse out of the bedroom or refusing to fulfill marital obligations)
• Imprisonment for three or more consecutive years after the marriage
• Adultery, which requires corroborating evidence beyond just the testimony of the accusing spouse

Choosing the right ground depends on the facts of your case and what you are trying to accomplish. Your attorney can walk you through the trade-offs.

Important Aspects of Your Divorce Case

Divorce in Orangetown, NY involves more moving pieces than people expect. Here is what to keep in mind.

• The automatic orders that take effect upon filing are not suggestions. They are court orders. Violating them, by transferring assets, canceling insurance, or running up debt, can result in sanctions and will damage your credibility with the judge.
• Equitable distribution under DRL § 236 requires the court to consider more than a dozen factors. The outcome is not predetermined. How your attorney presents the evidence makes a real difference.
• Avoid making costly mistakes during the process. Moving out of the marital home without a plan, posting about your case on social media, or communicating directly with your spouse’s attorney can all backfire.
• If children are involved, their needs take priority over everything else in the eyes of the court. Judges pay attention to which parent is more likely to foster a healthy relationship with the other parent.

Divorce Case Timeline

Here is a rough timeline for Orangetown cases filed in the Rockland County Supreme Court.

• Uncontested divorces with a signed settlement agreement can be finalized in roughly three to four months from the date of filing
• Contested cases involving custody, property disputes, or maintenance disagreements take 12 to 18 months on average. Some stretch past two years.
• Temporary orders for custody, support, and exclusive use of the marital home are typically addressed within the first few weeks
• The discovery phase, where both sides exchange financial records and take depositions, commonly runs three to six months
• Trial dates are subject to the Rockland County calendar, and scheduling delays are common. Knowing what to expect from the timeline helps you plan accordingly.

What to Bring to Your Divorce Consultation

Come prepared. The more information you bring to your first meeting, the more productive it will be.

• Tax returns for the last two to three years, plus W-2s or 1099s for both spouses
• Recent pay stubs and documentation of any other income sources (rental income, bonuses, investment dividends)
• Bank statements, brokerage account statements, and retirement account records
• Mortgage documents, property deeds, vehicle titles, and any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
• A list of outstanding debts: credit cards, student loans, medical bills, lines of credit

We do not charge for the initial consultation. You will leave the meeting with a clear understanding of the legal process, your likely options, and what the next steps look like. Our consultation checklist can help you organize your documents before the appointment.

New York Legal Resources for Divorce

These resources provide Orangetown residents with access to the statutes, court procedures, and forms relevant to divorce in New York.

• NY Domestic Relations Law — the body of state law that governs divorce, property division, custody, and spousal maintenance
• NY Courts Divorce Resources — forms, filing instructions, and procedural guides from the New York State Unified Court System
• Divorce FAQ — answers to frequently asked questions about the divorce process, grounds, property, and custody
• Child Support Standards Chart — the official state reference used to calculate child support obligations
• Rockland County Courts — addresses, phone numbers, and contact information for the Supreme Court, Family Court, and Surrogate’s Court serving Orangetown

Reach Out to Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

Divorce affects every part of your life. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner you can start making decisions from a position of knowledge instead of uncertainty. Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. offers free consultations for divorce matters in Orangetown, NY. Contact our office to schedule yours.