From The Law Office of Ryan Besinque - Manhattan Contested Divorce Attorney explains what happens when spouses cannot agree on major divorce terms and the court must step in to decide issues like property division, finances, child custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. This episode walks through the realities of facing a contested divorce in Manhattan and New York City, including how many cases that begin with serious disagreements are ultimately resolved through negotiation, mediation, and settlement conferences before trial in New York courts.
Listeners will learn how a case begins in New York County Supreme Court, often at 60 Centre Street, with a Summons with Notice or Summons and Complaint, followed by the filing of an Answer and, when appropriate, counterclaims. The discussion breaks down the Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI), the preliminary conference, and the importance of meeting the 20–30 day deadline to respond. It also covers the procedural path toward discovery, compliance conferences, the Note of Issue, and ultimately a judgment of divorce, as well as related proceedings in Manhattan Family Court at 60 Lafayette Street involving custody, support, or family offense petitions.
The episode takes a deep dive into discovery, including interrogatories, document requests, depositions, subpoenas, and the mandatory Statement of Net Worth required in contested New York divorces. It explains equitable distribution under New York Domestic Relations Law § 236, the distinction between marital vs. separate property, and how commingling can affect asset division. Key legal foundations such as New York Domestic Relations Law § 170 are discussed, along with strategic considerations about when to settle and when trial may be necessary, particularly in cases involving hidden assets, complex property division, or domestic violence.
The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, located in Midtown Manhattan at 115 W 25th Street, represents clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, Nassau County, and Long Island. Ryan Besinque, Esq., who has practiced since 2012, serves on the Manhattan Assigned Counsel Panel and is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law, where he received the CALI Award for Family Law and the Outstanding Service Award from the Legal Aid Society of San Diego. To schedule a free consultation regarding a contested divorce in Manhattan or anywhere in New York City, call (929) 251-4477.
The Law Office of Ryan Besinque
115 W 25th St 4th floor, New York, NY 10001, United States
(929) 251-4477
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