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Manhattan Separation Agreement Lawyer - Richard Roman Shum · BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast

• 0:00
  Manhattan Separation Agreement Lawyer When a marriage reaches a crossroads, some couples need time and legal clarity before making the permanent decision to divorce.
• 0:09
  A separation agreement is a binding contract between spouses who choose to live apart while remaining legally married, setting clear terms for finances, property, support, and parenting responsibilities.
• 0:20
  Unlike divorce, a separation agreement does not end the marriage and can be completed without filing a lawsuit or proving fault in court.
• 0:28
  For Manhattan couples who are not ready to divorce, a properly prepared written agreement provides structure and enforceable clarity during an uncertain and emotionally difficult time.
• 0:37
  Under New York law, a separation agreement must be in writing, signed by both spouses, and properly acknowledged to be legally enforceable.
• 0:45
  An informal arrangement where one spouse simply moves out leaves both parties without agreed, enforceable terms for support, finances, or parenting time.
• 0:54
  Couples choose separation over divorce for many reasons, including religious beliefs, the potential effect on children, pension benefits, and future Social Security eligibility.
• 1:04
  If the spouses later decide to divorce, reaching ten years of marriage can affect eligibility for Social Security benefits as a divorced spouse, making the timing of any legal action significant.
• 1:15
  Spouses who negotiate a separation agreement do not need to prove statutory grounds, but a court-ordered judgment of separation requires establishing one of five fault-based grounds under New York Domestic Relations Law Section 200.
• 1:29
  Those grounds include cruel and inhuman treatment, abandonment, imprisonment after the marriage, adultery, and non-support despite having the ability to provide it.
• 1:39
  New York's residency requirements under Domestic Relations Law Section 230 offer several pathways, including continuous residence by either spouse for at least two years before the action begins.
• 1:51
  A one-year residency period may apply when the spouses were married in New York, lived there as a couple, or when the grounds for separation occurred within the state.
• 1:59
  Manhattan separation agreement attorney Richard Roman Shum, Esq. handles separation and divorce matters for clients across New York City, helping them negotiate and prepare agreements designed to protect their financial and parental interests.
• 2:12
  Working with a skilled lawyer means your agreement will reflect your actual circumstances, address every critical term, and stand up as an enforceable contract under New York law.
• 2:22
  Contact the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq, located at 20 Clinton St FRNT, New York, NY 10002, United States, by calling 646, 259, 3416 to schedule your consultation today.