Discovery is an important part of the divorce process because it allows both parties to understand the full financial picture before any decisions are made about property division, support, or other issues. During discovery, each side can request documents and information about income, assets, debts, and other financial matters. This helps ensure that both spouses are being transparent and that nothing is being hidden. In New York divorce cases, courts rely on accurate financial information...

In a New York custody trial, a forensic evaluator’s recommendation can carry significant weight, but it is not binding on the Court. Judges often rely on forensic reports because the evaluator is appointed as a neutral mental health professional to assess the parents, the children, and the overall family dynamics. The evaluator typically conducts interviews, administers psychological testing, reviews records, and observes parent-child interactions, which gives the Court a broader factual...

In a New York divorce, parties often choose to offset assets  in a stipulation of settlement rather than dividing every asset in certain situations. Offsetting assets means one spouse keeps a particular asset—such as the marital home, a business interest, or a retirement account—while the other spouse receives assets of comparable value. This approach can simplify the settlement process and avoid the need to sell or liquidate property that has emotional, tax, or practical significance. Many...