Divorce is one of the hardest and most emotionally draining experiences a person can go through in life. That is why our Long Island matrimonial lawyers go the extra mile to provide excellent support and guidance for each client throughout this process. Your choice of an attorney can make the difference in the outcome of your divorce case.
Founded by Elliot D. Samuelson — one of the nation's top matrimonial lawyers — the family law firm of Samuelson Hause PLLC strives to provide the best divorce counsel and representation for clients in the Long Island area, including Nassau County and Suffolk County.
Contact our trusted divorce lawyer in Long Island at (516) 584-4685 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Testimonials Helping Clients Move Forward
“Tracey was knowledgeable and talked me through sensitive negotiations with great concern for my feelings.”
“I am very pleased with the handling of my matrimonial case.”
Jeffrey H.
“Words cannot even describe what peace of mind you have provided me to move forward with my life!”
“I almost never leave reviews so that means a lot that I am leaving one here for Wendy Samuelson. I cannot say enough positive things. I went into the consultation with trepidation of my situation and she gave me the factual reassurance I needed. She advise”
Tara G.
“I couldn’t have done this without them.”
“I couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome and the hard work that they put forth for me. Their integrity, honesty and conscientiousness were invaluable to me. They kept me strong and focused in the right direction at all times.”
Dr. D.S., Field of Neonatology
“You're really the best.”
“Dear Wendy, I want to thank you a million times from the bottom of my heart for your endless patience and willingness to look out for my welfare even though I was often too willing to bury my head in the sand.”
Dr. A.R., Surgeon
“Great choice!”
“The entire team at Samuelson Hause PLLC, worked respectfully hard with very limiting deadlines, accomplishing so much with the utmost confidence. Despite such a hard time with difficult decisions, I made a great choice in working with Wendy.”
Bart Tarulli, CEO of Rejuvenol
“I highly recommend this firm”
“Clients I refer to Wendy always come back and tell me how professional she is. She listens to them, provides a caring voice, but is a strong attorney who gets results.”
Warren M. Bergstein, CPA
“I highly recommend this firm, and can’t thank them enough.”
“I wanted to thank the team at Samuelson Hause PLLC, for helping me through one of the most difficult times in my life.”
M.L., Esq.
“I highly recommend her.”
“Wendy is a great matrimonial attorney. She is understanding, knowledgeable, sharp, professional and knows how to get the job done. She is everything you want in a matrimonial attorney.”
D. B., Esq. -Partner of a Long Island multi-specialty law firm
How Our Experienced Long Island Divorce Lawyers Can Help
The Long Island divorce lawyers at Samuelson Hause PLLC have practiced extensively in matrimonial law for more than a century combined. Our firm is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and Attorney Elliot Samuelson and Richard Hause have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®.
We were also named a Tier 1 Family Law Firm by U.S. News and World Report. Super Lawyers® has selected Wendy Samuelson on Long Island and Martindale-Hubbell® for legal ability and ethical standards.
Our Nassau County divorce lawyers are ready to guide you to a successful conclusion throughout your divorce matter.
Clients who turn to our firm often have sophisticated financial lives or complicated family dynamics, and they need guidance that takes those realities into account. We regularly work on business valuations, complex compensation packages, and long-term planning issues that arise in divorces filed in the Nassau County or Suffolk County Supreme Courts. By coordinating with forensic accountants and, when appropriate, mental health professionals, we help you understand how legal strategy intersects with your financial security and your children’s wellbeing so you can make informed choices at every stage of your case.
Benefits of Hiring a Divorce Attorney
No one should ever attempt to face the difficult and complex process of divorce without the counsel and representation of an excellent Long Island divorce lawyer. You may have the support of family or friends through the process, but as helpful as that may be, nothing replaces the advice and guidance that an experienced attorney can provide. Only a lawyer who has practiced extensively in family law can ensure that you obtain a fair divorce settlement or trial verdict for contested divorce and litigation.
Why You Need a Lawyer Before Filing for Divorce
The New York divorce process requires a detailed understanding of matrimonial law that can only be provided by a Long Island divorce lawyer who has practiced extensively in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody, and support cases. The team of attorneys at Samuelson Hause PLLC has more than 100 years of combined experience and can provide the legal services that you need. Our lawyers are understanding and supportive, treating each case with the care and respect that it deserves. It is likely that you are going through one of the most difficult and emotional times of your life and are concerned about making the right decision. Our lawyers will provide the compassionate support and knowledgeable counsel that will help you make the most beneficial decision regarding your marriage.
The divorce process involves necessary paperwork and documentation that can be quite confusing without the guidance of a lawyer. Your best decision at this time would be to hire a divorce attorney to counsel you and help you make the best decisions regarding the dissolution of your marriage. Legal separation is also an option for those who do not want a divorce, but want to live apart from their spouse without ending their marriage. If you do want a divorce, you must decide whether to pursue collaborative divorce or divorce mediation, or whether you need to take your case to court. Our Long Island divorce attorneys are here to help, so contact our firm as soon as possible to get started!
Contact an Attorney from a Tier 1 Family Law Firm
Samuelson Hause PLLC has not only practiced extensively in family law, but is also highly awarded and recognized for its excellence and success. Our firm has been recognized by US News & World Report as a Tier 1 Family Law Firm. Two of our partners have also received the highest rankings for professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the nation's leading peer-review rating services for attorneys. In addition, our founding attorney Elliot D. Samuelson is extensively published, having more than 100 professional articles published on all kinds of legal subjects, as well as numerous books on matrimonial law and divorce. Our legal team also has more than a century of combined experience and is prepared to use that knowledge to build the strongest possible case for your divorce.
Contact us at (516) 584-4685 to start your path toward a secure, confident, and positive resolution for everyone involved.
Understanding the New York Divorce Process in Long Island
Each state in the U.S. has its own legal process for divorce. New York was the last state in the nation to pass a law allowing for no-fault divorce, meaning that fault, such as adultery or severe abuse, is not necessary to file for divorce. The two parties need only testify under oath that the marriage is irretrievably broken. One of the most important steps in the New York divorce process, however, is to hire a knowledgeable and experienced Long Island divorce attorney to guide you through each step and to fight relentlessly for your rights. Contact Samuelson Hause PLLC right away if you are looking to file for divorce in New York.
Separation vs. Divorce
In some cases, a couple may want to obtain a legal separation instead of filing for divorce. Separation can be filed amicably between two compliant parties, or it can be litigated in court when the spouses are at odds. Either way, once a Decree of Separation or a Judgment of Separation has been issued, the parties must live apart for one year before they can file for divorce. They can also continue living separated for as long as they like, still receiving the legal and financial benefits of marriage without having to live with their spouse.
Types of Divorce in New York
Once divorce is decided upon, there are two means by which it can be obtained. If the two spouses are in agreement about the divorce and believe that they can come to an agreement by negotiating with each other, they can pursue a divorce through either collaborative law or divorce mediation. If problems arise and the parties end up disagreeing on any point, litigation may become necessary so that a final judgment can be made on the issue. Cases involving litigation are known as contested divorces.
Divorce litigation is necessary whenever the two spouses cannot agree on any area of their divorce, however small. The issue will be brought before a judge, where each party will argue its case. The judge will then make a decision and enter a judgment to settle the issue. This is usually necessary for disputed issues such as equitable distribution, child custody, child support, maintenance (alimony), visitation, and modification of court orders. If either party believes that the decision of the judge contains an error in applying the law or that it is based upon a mistake in applying the facts, an appeal can be brought before a higher court.
What to Expect in a Divorce in Long Island
Divorce is a confusing and complex legal process that varies from state to state. If you are considering a divorce in New York, you must consult a Long Island divorce attorney before you take the first step and file for divorce. Only an attorney will have the knowledge and experience to counsel you and help you know what to expect throughout the process of divorce mediation or litigation. Contact Samuelson Hause PLLC to have your case reviewed by a divorce lawyer who can help. We not only provide the counsel and aggressive litigation that your case may require, but we also ensure that our clients have the emotional support and guidance that they need during and after their divorce.
Be Aware of These Important Divorce Issues
The first thing you should know in a divorce is the jurisdiction under which you'll need to file. According to New York State law, you can only file in the county where:
You may be able to file for divorce in New York if one of the following applies:
Marriage and residency: The two parties were married in New York, and one party has resided in the state for at least one continuous year immediately before filing.
Spousal residency history: Both parties have resided as husband and wife in New York, and at least one party has resided in the state for at least one year before filing.
Cause plus one-year residency: The grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and at least one party has resided in the state for at least one year before filing.
Cause plus current residency: The grounds for divorce occurred in New York, and both parties are residents of the state at the time of filing.
Two-year residency: Either party has been a resident of New York for a continuous period of at least two years immediately before filing.
After you've determined the correct jurisdiction under which to file, you or the other party will request a divorce, and the other spouse will be served with a summons and complaint. The recipient will then file an answer and a counterclaim when applicable. Occasionally, hearings will be held for temporary court orders for child custody, child support and maintenance (alimony), residency issues, protection (especially for cases involving domestic violence), and other important matters.
Clients also have the option to decide whether to pursue divorce through mediation or collaboration, or they can pursue a divorce through litigation. In either case, the spouses will have to undergo the discovery process to uncover any and all assets and property that are eligible for equitable distribution. A settlement can then be reached, or the case can go to trial so that a verdict can be reached by a judge. Appeals could then be made if the decision is unsatisfactory. Modifications of court orders can also be requested, as can enforcement of court orders when the other party fails to obey the order.
Hire a Lawyer with the Highest Rankings by Martindale-Hubbell®
Throughout each of these processes, the success of your case depends heavily on the skill and experience of your family law attorney. The complexity of filing for and obtaining a divorce can leave you confused, with countless questions in need of answers. Don't go through this difficult and emotional process alone. Speak with a Long Island divorce attorney from Samuelson Hause PLLC right away. Two of our attorneys have receivedthe highest rankings for professional excellence and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell®, and the firm can use their experience and professionalism to benefit your divorce case.
Samuelson Hause PLLC has more than a century of collective legal experience. Contact our offices today if you need a divorce attorney in Long Island who will support you during this difficult time while providing the guidance and representation you need. Our lawyers are skilled in negotiation and litigation, and we have countless successful cases in our history.
