"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer an online guided path through divorce that helps couples avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

Written By:

Divorce.com Staff

New York Divorce Timelines by Scenario

Fastest possible: 3-5 months (uncontested, no children) | Typical uncontested: 4-10 months | Uncontested with children: 6-14 months | Contested: 12-48+ months | The factor: Agreement. New York has no waiting period but complex court system creates delays. NYC divorces most expensive in nation.

Residency: Multiple options: (1) Both spouses NY residents 12 months before filing, OR (2) Either spouse continuous NY resident since marriage, OR (3) Cause arose in NY and either spouse 12-month resident, OR (4) Cause arose in NY and both currently NY residents. | No Waiting Period: New York has no mandatory waiting period after filing. | No-Fault Option: Added in 2010 (irretrievable breakdown for 6+ months). | Index Number: Must purchase index number from county clerk to file.

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

Scenario 1: Uncontested Divorce Without Children

Timeline: 4-9 months | Meet residency. Purchase index number ($210 in most counties, $335 in NYC). File summons with notice OR summons and verified complaint in Supreme Court. Serve spouse. Spouse has 20 or 30 days to answer. Exchange statements of net worth (extensive financial disclosure). File stipulation of settlement. Submit judgment of divorce with required documents. Court reviews and signs judgment. | County/Borough Variations: New York County (Manhattan): 6-12 months. Longest delays. Most expensive. Kings County (Brooklyn): 6-12 months. Backlog. Queens County: 6-11 months. Bronx County: 5-10 months. Richmond County (Staten Island): 5-9 months. Westchester County: 5-10 months. Nassau County (Long Island): 5-10 months. Suffolk County (Long Island): 5-9 months. Erie County (Buffalo): 4-8 months. Monroe County (Rochester): 4-8 months. Onondaga County (Syracuse): 4-7 months. Upstate counties: 3-6 months generally faster.

Scenario 2: Uncontested Divorce With Children

Timeline: 6-14 months | Requirements: Parenting plan (custody and visitation). Child support per New York guidelines. Parent education required in most counties. | Process: File with parenting plan. Both complete parent education (mandatory in NYC, Westchester, Nassau, most counties - 4 hours, $75-$100). Exchange statements of net worth. Stipulation covering custody/support. Submit judgment. Court review. Signed judgment. | New York Parenting: Parent education mandatory in NYC and most populous counties. New York has detailed child support guidelines. "Custody" and "visitation" terminology. Social services involvement in high-conflict cases.

Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

-

$1,999

Scenario 3: Contested Divorce (Settled Before Trial)

Timeline: 12-48+ months | Issues: Equitable distribution disputes (NY considers many factors). Maintenance disagreements (NY has new maintenance formula). Custody battles. High property values in NYC. Professional practices. | New York Specifics: Equitable distribution based on extensive factors. 2015 maintenance reform created formula (different for temporary vs post-divorce). Extremely high property values in NYC and suburbs. Forensic accounting standard in high-asset cases. Discovery very extensive. Preliminary conference required in contested cases.

Scenario 4: Fully Contested Divorce With Trial

Timeline: 18-60+ months | New York City divorces among longest and most expensive in world. | Costs: Attorney fees: $25,000-$200,000+ per side (Manhattan highest in world, $700-$1,500+/hour). Court-appointed evaluator: $10,000-$30,000. Forensic accountant: $15,000-$75,000. Business valuation: $20,000-$100,000. Custody evaluation: $10,000-$30,000. Real estate appraisal: $5,000-$20,000 per property. Vocational expert: $7,500-$15,000. Experts: $15,000-$75,000. Court costs: $5,000-$15,000. Total: $80,000-$600,000+ combined. | Manhattan divorces most expensive in world, exceeding even London.,Timeline: Varies | Protection: Order of Protection. Emergency available. Hearing within reasonable time. No mediation in DV."

Scenario 5: Divorce With Domestic Violence

Timeline: 4-12 months (uncontested) to 18-48+ months (contested). | Installations: Fort Drum (Jefferson County), West Point (Orange County), Stewart Air National Guard Base. NYC area bases. | SCRA applies.,Timeline: 18-60+ months | Manhattan (Upper East Side

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

Proudly featured in these publications

Scenario 6: Military Divorce in Ohio

Tribeca

Scenario 7: High-Asset Divorce

SoHo)

Our Services

How to Speed Up Your Ohio Divorce

Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights

New York County-Specific Timelines

DUMBO)

Cost Impact of Divorce Timeline

Westchester (Scarsdale

Common Delays in New York Divorces

Rye)

Frequently Asked Questions

Hamptons

The Bottom Line

Greenwich CT border EXTREMELY affluent. Highest property values in nation. Finance industry. Real estate. Hedge funds. Private equity. Art collections. | New York Issues: Manhattan has most expensive divorces in world. Co-op apartments unique issues. Rent-stabilized apartments valuable marital assets. Professional degrees can be marital property in NY (unique). Maintenance formula complex. Equitable distribution extremely detailed. Forensic accounting universal in high-asset cases."

Steuben County Divorce Guide: Bath, New York Filing

Suffolk County Divorce Guide: Riverhead, New York Filing

Sullivan County Divorce Guide: Monticello, New York Filing

Tioga County Divorce Guide: Owego, New York Filing

Tompkins County Divorce Guide: Ithaca, New York Filing

Ulster County Divorce Guide: Kingston, New York Filing

Warren County Divorce Guide: Lake George, New York Filing

Washington County Divorce Guide: Fort Edward, New York Filing

Wayne County Divorce Guide: Lyons, New York Filing

Westchester County Divorce Guide: White Plains, New York Filing

Wyoming County Divorce Guide: Warsaw, New York Filing

Yates County Divorce Guide: Penn Yan, New York Filing

Nassau County Divorce Guide: Mineola, New York Filing

New York County Divorce Guide: New York, New York Filing

Niagara County Divorce Guide: Niagara Falls, New York Filing

Oneida County Divorce Guide: Utica, New York Filing

Onondaga County Divorce Guide: Syracuse, New York Filing

Ontario County Divorce Guide: Canandaigua, New York Filing

Orange County Divorce Guide: Goshen, New York Filing

Orleans County Divorce Guide: Albion, New York Filing

Oswego County Divorce Guide: Oswego, New York Filing

Otsego County Divorce Guide: Cooperstown, New York Filing

Putnam County Divorce Guide: Carmel, New York Filing

Queens County Divorce Guide: Long Island City, New York Filing

Rensselaer County Divorce Guide: Troy, New York Filing

Richmond County Divorce Guide: Staten Island, New York Filing

Rockland County Divorce Guide: New City, New York Filing

Saratoga County Divorce Guide: Ballston Spa, New York Filing

Schenectady County Divorce Guide: Schenectady, New York Filing

Schoharie County Divorce Guide: Schoharie, New York Filing

Schuyler County Divorce Guide: Watkins Glen, New York Filing

Seneca County Divorce Guide: Waterloo, New York Filing

St Lawrence County Divorce Guide: Canton, New York Filing

Chenango County Divorce Guide: Norwich, New York Filing

Clinton County Divorce Guide: Plattsburgh, New York Filing

Columbia County Divorce Guide: Claverack, New York Filing

Cortland County Divorce Guide: Cortland, New York Filing

Delaware County Divorce Guide: Delhi, New York Filing

Dutchess County Divorce Guide: Poughkeepsie, New York Filing

Erie County Divorce Guide: Buffalo, New York Filing

Essex County Divorce Guide: Elizabethtown, New York Filing

Franklin County Divorce Guide: Malone, New York Filing

Fulton County Divorce Guide: Johnstown, New York Filing

Genesee County Divorce Guide: Batavia, New York Filing

Greene County Divorce Guide: Catskill, New York Filing

Hamilton County Divorce Guide: Indian Lake, New York Filing

Herkimer County Divorce Guide: Herkimer, New York Filing

Jefferson County Divorce Guide: Watertown, New York Filing

Kings County Divorce Guide: Brooklyn, New York Filing

Lewis County Divorce Guide: Lowville, New York Filing

Livingston County Divorce Guide: Geneseo, New York Filing

Madison County Divorce Guide: Wampsville, New York Filing

Monroe County Divorce Guide: Rochester, New York Filing

Montgomery County Divorce Guide: Fonda, New York Filing

Albany County Divorce Guide: Albany, New York Filing

Allegany County Divorce Guide: Belmont, New York Filing

Bronx County Divorce Guide: Bronx, New York Filing

Broome County Divorce Guide: Binghamton, New York Filing

Cattaraugus County Divorce Guide: Olean, New York Filing

Cayuga County Divorce Guide: Auburn, New York Filing

Chautauqua County Divorce Guide: Mayville, New York Filing

Chemung County Divorce Guide: Elmira, New York Filing

Other Articles:

Steuben County Divorce Guide: Bath, New York Filing

Suffolk County Divorce Guide: Riverhead, New York Filing

Sullivan County Divorce Guide: Monticello, New York Filing

Tioga County Divorce Guide: Owego, New York Filing

Tompkins County Divorce Guide: Ithaca, New York Filing

Ulster County Divorce Guide: Kingston, New York Filing

Warren County Divorce Guide: Lake George, New York Filing

Washington County Divorce Guide: Fort Edward, New York Filing

Wayne County Divorce Guide: Lyons, New York Filing

Westchester County Divorce Guide: White Plains, New York Filing

Wyoming County Divorce Guide: Warsaw, New York Filing

Yates County Divorce Guide: Penn Yan, New York Filing

Nassau County Divorce Guide: Mineola, New York Filing

New York County Divorce Guide: New York, New York Filing

Niagara County Divorce Guide: Niagara Falls, New York Filing

Oneida County Divorce Guide: Utica, New York Filing

Onondaga County Divorce Guide: Syracuse, New York Filing

Ontario County Divorce Guide: Canandaigua, New York Filing

Orange County Divorce Guide: Goshen, New York Filing

Orleans County Divorce Guide: Albion, New York Filing

Oswego County Divorce Guide: Oswego, New York Filing

Otsego County Divorce Guide: Cooperstown, New York Filing

Putnam County Divorce Guide: Carmel, New York Filing

Queens County Divorce Guide: Long Island City, New York Filing

Rensselaer County Divorce Guide: Troy, New York Filing

Richmond County Divorce Guide: Staten Island, New York Filing

Rockland County Divorce Guide: New City, New York Filing

Saratoga County Divorce Guide: Ballston Spa, New York Filing

Schenectady County Divorce Guide: Schenectady, New York Filing

Schoharie County Divorce Guide: Schoharie, New York Filing

Schuyler County Divorce Guide: Watkins Glen, New York Filing

Seneca County Divorce Guide: Waterloo, New York Filing

St Lawrence County Divorce Guide: Canton, New York Filing

Chenango County Divorce Guide: Norwich, New York Filing

Clinton County Divorce Guide: Plattsburgh, New York Filing

Columbia County Divorce Guide: Claverack, New York Filing

Cortland County Divorce Guide: Cortland, New York Filing

Delaware County Divorce Guide: Delhi, New York Filing

Dutchess County Divorce Guide: Poughkeepsie, New York Filing

Erie County Divorce Guide: Buffalo, New York Filing

Essex County Divorce Guide: Elizabethtown, New York Filing

Franklin County Divorce Guide: Malone, New York Filing

Fulton County Divorce Guide: Johnstown, New York Filing

Genesee County Divorce Guide: Batavia, New York Filing

Greene County Divorce Guide: Catskill, New York Filing

Hamilton County Divorce Guide: Indian Lake, New York Filing

Herkimer County Divorce Guide: Herkimer, New York Filing

Jefferson County Divorce Guide: Watertown, New York Filing

Kings County Divorce Guide: Brooklyn, New York Filing

Lewis County Divorce Guide: Lowville, New York Filing

Livingston County Divorce Guide: Geneseo, New York Filing

Madison County Divorce Guide: Wampsville, New York Filing

Monroe County Divorce Guide: Rochester, New York Filing

Montgomery County Divorce Guide: Fonda, New York Filing

Albany County Divorce Guide: Albany, New York Filing

Allegany County Divorce Guide: Belmont, New York Filing

Bronx County Divorce Guide: Bronx, New York Filing

Broome County Divorce Guide: Binghamton, New York Filing

Cattaraugus County Divorce Guide: Olean, New York Filing

Cayuga County Divorce Guide: Auburn, New York Filing

Chautauqua County Divorce Guide: Mayville, New York Filing

Chemung County Divorce Guide: Elmira, New York Filing

Other Articles:

Real Answers. Real Support.

We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Why Divorce.com

Services

Resources

Online Divorce

Divorce Guides

States

We offer a simple divorce online for uncontested or lightly contested divorces.

"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer a guided path through divorce that helps avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

Written By:

Divorce.com Staff

New York Divorce Timelines by Scenario

Fastest possible: 3-5 months (uncontested, no children) | Typical uncontested: 4-10 months | Uncontested with children: 6-14 months | Contested: 12-48+ months | The factor: Agreement. New York has no waiting period but complex court system creates delays. NYC divorces most expensive in nation.

Residency: Multiple options: (1) Both spouses NY residents 12 months before filing, OR (2) Either spouse continuous NY resident since marriage, OR (3) Cause arose in NY and either spouse 12-month resident, OR (4) Cause arose in NY and both currently NY residents. | No Waiting Period: New York has no mandatory waiting period after filing. | No-Fault Option: Added in 2010 (irretrievable breakdown for 6+ months). | Index Number: Must purchase index number from county clerk to file.

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

Scenario 1: Uncontested Divorce Without Children

Timeline: 4-9 months | Meet residency. Purchase index number ($210 in most counties, $335 in NYC). File summons with notice OR summons and verified complaint in Supreme Court. Serve spouse. Spouse has 20 or 30 days to answer. Exchange statements of net worth (extensive financial disclosure). File stipulation of settlement. Submit judgment of divorce with required documents. Court reviews and signs judgment. | County/Borough Variations: New York County (Manhattan): 6-12 months. Longest delays. Most expensive. Kings County (Brooklyn): 6-12 months. Backlog. Queens County: 6-11 months. Bronx County: 5-10 months. Richmond County (Staten Island): 5-9 months. Westchester County: 5-10 months. Nassau County (Long Island): 5-10 months. Suffolk County (Long Island): 5-9 months. Erie County (Buffalo): 4-8 months. Monroe County (Rochester): 4-8 months. Onondaga County (Syracuse): 4-7 months. Upstate counties: 3-6 months generally faster.

Scenario 2: Uncontested Divorce With Children

Timeline: 6-14 months | Requirements: Parenting plan (custody and visitation). Child support per New York guidelines. Parent education required in most counties. | Process: File with parenting plan. Both complete parent education (mandatory in NYC, Westchester, Nassau, most counties - 4 hours, $75-$100). Exchange statements of net worth. Stipulation covering custody/support. Submit judgment. Court review. Signed judgment. | New York Parenting: Parent education mandatory in NYC and most populous counties. New York has detailed child support guidelines. "Custody" and "visitation" terminology. Social services involvement in high-conflict cases.

Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

-

$1,999

Scenario 3: Contested Divorce (Settled Before Trial)

Timeline: 12-48+ months | Issues: Equitable distribution disputes (NY considers many factors). Maintenance disagreements (NY has new maintenance formula). Custody battles. High property values in NYC. Professional practices. | New York Specifics: Equitable distribution based on extensive factors. 2015 maintenance reform created formula (different for temporary vs post-divorce). Extremely high property values in NYC and suburbs. Forensic accounting standard in high-asset cases. Discovery very extensive. Preliminary conference required in contested cases.

Scenario 4: Fully Contested Divorce With Trial

Timeline: 18-60+ months | New York City divorces among longest and most expensive in world. | Costs: Attorney fees: $25,000-$200,000+ per side (Manhattan highest in world, $700-$1,500+/hour). Court-appointed evaluator: $10,000-$30,000. Forensic accountant: $15,000-$75,000. Business valuation: $20,000-$100,000. Custody evaluation: $10,000-$30,000. Real estate appraisal: $5,000-$20,000 per property. Vocational expert: $7,500-$15,000. Experts: $15,000-$75,000. Court costs: $5,000-$15,000. Total: $80,000-$600,000+ combined. | Manhattan divorces most expensive in world, exceeding even London.,Timeline: Varies | Protection: Order of Protection. Emergency available. Hearing within reasonable time. No mediation in DV."

Scenario 5: Divorce With Domestic Violence

Timeline: 4-12 months (uncontested) to 18-48+ months (contested). | Installations: Fort Drum (Jefferson County), West Point (Orange County), Stewart Air National Guard Base. NYC area bases. | SCRA applies.,Timeline: 18-60+ months | Manhattan (Upper East Side

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

Proudly featured in these publications

Scenario 6: Military Divorce in Ohio

Tribeca

Scenario 7: High-Asset Divorce

SoHo)

Our Services

Chair icon

Paperwork Only

Basic access to divorce paperwork where you handle the rigorous filing process with the court.

POPULAR
Chair icon

We File For You

Our most popular package includes a dedicated case manager, automated court filing, spouse signature collection, and personalized documentation.

Chair icon

Fully Guided

Complete divorce support including mediation sessions, dedicated case management, court filing, and personalized documentation.

How to Speed Up Your Ohio Divorce

Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights

New York County-Specific Timelines

DUMBO)

Cost Impact of Divorce Timeline

Westchester (Scarsdale

Common Delays in New York Divorces

Rye)

Frequently Asked Questions

Hamptons

The Bottom Line

Greenwich CT border EXTREMELY affluent. Highest property values in nation. Finance industry. Real estate. Hedge funds. Private equity. Art collections. | New York Issues: Manhattan has most expensive divorces in world. Co-op apartments unique issues. Rent-stabilized apartments valuable marital assets. Professional degrees can be marital property in NY (unique). Maintenance formula complex. Equitable distribution extremely detailed. Forensic accounting universal in high-asset cases."

Other Articles:

Steuben County Divorce Guide: Bath, New York Filing

Suffolk County Divorce Guide: Riverhead, New York Filing

Sullivan County Divorce Guide: Monticello, New York Filing

Tioga County Divorce Guide: Owego, New York Filing

Tompkins County Divorce Guide: Ithaca, New York Filing

Ulster County Divorce Guide: Kingston, New York Filing

Warren County Divorce Guide: Lake George, New York Filing

Washington County Divorce Guide: Fort Edward, New York Filing

Wayne County Divorce Guide: Lyons, New York Filing

Westchester County Divorce Guide: White Plains, New York Filing

Wyoming County Divorce Guide: Warsaw, New York Filing

Yates County Divorce Guide: Penn Yan, New York Filing

Nassau County Divorce Guide: Mineola, New York Filing

New York County Divorce Guide: New York, New York Filing

Niagara County Divorce Guide: Niagara Falls, New York Filing

Oneida County Divorce Guide: Utica, New York Filing

Onondaga County Divorce Guide: Syracuse, New York Filing

Ontario County Divorce Guide: Canandaigua, New York Filing

Orange County Divorce Guide: Goshen, New York Filing

Orleans County Divorce Guide: Albion, New York Filing

Oswego County Divorce Guide: Oswego, New York Filing

Otsego County Divorce Guide: Cooperstown, New York Filing

Putnam County Divorce Guide: Carmel, New York Filing

Queens County Divorce Guide: Long Island City, New York Filing

Rensselaer County Divorce Guide: Troy, New York Filing

Richmond County Divorce Guide: Staten Island, New York Filing

Rockland County Divorce Guide: New City, New York Filing

Saratoga County Divorce Guide: Ballston Spa, New York Filing

Schenectady County Divorce Guide: Schenectady, New York Filing

Schoharie County Divorce Guide: Schoharie, New York Filing

Schuyler County Divorce Guide: Watkins Glen, New York Filing

Seneca County Divorce Guide: Waterloo, New York Filing

St Lawrence County Divorce Guide: Canton, New York Filing

Chenango County Divorce Guide: Norwich, New York Filing

Clinton County Divorce Guide: Plattsburgh, New York Filing

Columbia County Divorce Guide: Claverack, New York Filing

Cortland County Divorce Guide: Cortland, New York Filing

Delaware County Divorce Guide: Delhi, New York Filing

Dutchess County Divorce Guide: Poughkeepsie, New York Filing

Erie County Divorce Guide: Buffalo, New York Filing

Essex County Divorce Guide: Elizabethtown, New York Filing

Franklin County Divorce Guide: Malone, New York Filing

Fulton County Divorce Guide: Johnstown, New York Filing

Genesee County Divorce Guide: Batavia, New York Filing

Greene County Divorce Guide: Catskill, New York Filing

Hamilton County Divorce Guide: Indian Lake, New York Filing

Herkimer County Divorce Guide: Herkimer, New York Filing

Jefferson County Divorce Guide: Watertown, New York Filing

Kings County Divorce Guide: Brooklyn, New York Filing

Lewis County Divorce Guide: Lowville, New York Filing

Livingston County Divorce Guide: Geneseo, New York Filing

Madison County Divorce Guide: Wampsville, New York Filing

Monroe County Divorce Guide: Rochester, New York Filing

Montgomery County Divorce Guide: Fonda, New York Filing

Albany County Divorce Guide: Albany, New York Filing

Allegany County Divorce Guide: Belmont, New York Filing

Bronx County Divorce Guide: Bronx, New York Filing

Broome County Divorce Guide: Binghamton, New York Filing

Cattaraugus County Divorce Guide: Olean, New York Filing

Cayuga County Divorce Guide: Auburn, New York Filing

Chautauqua County Divorce Guide: Mayville, New York Filing

Chemung County Divorce Guide: Elmira, New York Filing

Real Answers. Real Support.

We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.