Legal Question in Family Law in New York

What can I get?

I'm posting this for a good friend of mine. He recently got a seperation from his wife and she took everything. They have been together 20+ years but only married 3. Everything they have together is in her name because he had issues and couldnt put anything into his name. Now they are seperated and they both wants a divorce. But she isn't willing to settle fairly. The estate is worth alot of money, they have multiple investment properties and a very expensive house. He is ok with a 6 figure settlement but the wife won't settle. He is struggling now and cant afford a good lawyer and she has all his money so is using that to her advantage.

Since most of their stuff was acquired premarriage but they were together what rights does he have to it? Please help me help my friend get out of this tough spot.


Asked on 12/27/05, 3:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Seth Kaufman Kaufman PLLC

Re: What can I get?

Your friend has a complicated situation with a lot at stake. He needs to consult with an experienced attorney right away. Record title to marital assets is often unimportant; here, however, conveying title to his wife probably converted his separate property to marital property subject to equitable distribution. Although he may have forfeited much of his interest in those assets, he should be able to get at some of what she controls in order to retain legal counsel. Your friend may call our office to discuss his situation in further detail.

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Answered on 12/28/05, 1:56 pm


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