Buffalo Legal Separation Attorney
What Makes You Legally Separated in New York?
For many couples, a legal separation is a decision that allows them to take a step back in their marriage without going through a divorce. Adding extra breathing room can be a great way to work out issues without feeling rushed to end a marriage entirely. On the contrary, a legal separation can be what convinces a couple that divorce really is what they want the most to be happy again.
Are you and your spouse feeling caught in a loop of feeling unhappy with your marriage but also not wanting to end it? Legal separation is probably the right choice for you. Come to DePrima Law in Buffalo to discover the many benefits of legal separation. With an extensive background as a mediator and co-parenting coach, Attorney Gina DePrima can take a holistic approach to your separation, helping you and your spouse see the path of least resistance and most satisfaction.
We look forward to hearing from you. Contact us at (716) 638-2633 today.
Reasons to Consider Legal Separation
Most people assume the only way to resolve significant marriage conflicts is to file for divorce. The truth is they just do not know about legal separation. If they did, they would probably consider it first.
Why do people choose to file for legal separation instead of divorce?
- Religious reasons: It is common for people to choose legal separation if they are staunchly against divorce due to their religious beliefs. Since a legal separation can function very much like a divorce without officially ending a marriage, the end result can be appreciated in much the same way.
- Hope of reconciliation: Another common reason for legal separation is an uncertainty that the marriage is actually over and beyond “repair.” Ending any marriage, even one that feels conflicted and unhappy, can be an intimidating thought. If there is any hope of reconciliation, making things work, and growing close again, then legal separation is a great substitute for a divorce.
- Health insurance benefits: In other situations, a married couple would suffer significant financial losses if they divorced due to the insurance benefits they gained through marriage. For example, health insurance plans for married couples usually include better coverage for a better price, especially when provided through an employer. Legally separating will not severe those benefits but will effectively divorce the couple.
Negotiating a Separation Agreement
Regardless of the reason you decide to legally separate from your spouse, your legal separation will begin with drafting a separation agreement. Let us act as your legal guides for creating this separation agreement. We work carefully to ensure all parties are satisfied and we focus on cooperation throughout the process to minimize avoidable conflicts and arguments.
As with a divorce, a separation agreement will require you to make a number of decisions regarding child support, spousal support, shared parenting, and more. In a legal separation, you can work with your spouse to come to these decisions, alongside your lawyer. This is a great opportunity to set the terms depending on your specific needs and work together with your spouse towards an outcome that everyone agrees is right.
After all, you are filing for a legal separation because you do not want a divorce. If you and your spouse can cooperate while creating your separation agreement, then it is a good sign that a divorce would have been the wrong choice. Oppositely, if our best efforts to keep your legal separation peaceful do not succeed, then it might be time to talk to our law firm about choosing to divorce.
Providing a Balanced Approach to Conflict
Thanks to her background as a mediator, Attorney Gina DePrima is able to approach legal separation cases with heightened understanding and sensitivity that most other law firms cannot provide. If you share a child with your spouse, then you will appreciate her history as a co-parenting coach as well. Underneath everything she does for our clients is a sense of hope and enlightenment that seeks to make a family law issue feel less like a conflict and more like another chapter in your story.
Discover all the benefits of legal separation done peacefully. Contact our Buffalo legal separation attorney online now.
Let’s Get Started Together
We Will Guide You Through Each Step of the Process