Separation Agreement Lawyer in Syracuse, NY Area

Providing experienced counsel on separation agreements 

Attorney Richard J. Bombardo has extensive experience in helping clients with separation agreements. A separation agreement is an agreement between spouses upon the failure of their marriage. It allows both parties to stipulate their preferences regarding children, spousal support, assets and debts. 

Both parties must be willing to negotiate a settlement in order for a separation agreement to be a feasible option. There are considerable financial and emotional benefits when both parties are willing to work out an agreement without Court intervention. 

Issues covered by separation agreements

A separation agreement encompasses a variety of issues. It allows both parties to live separate and apart without interference from the other, as if unmarried.  In a separation agreement, the parties usually waive each other out of rights to the other’s estate to which they would otherwise be entitled.  There is a disclosure of all financial information for each of the parties, so that a fair and reasonable distribution of all assets, can be made, just as there is in a divorce action.

An agreement can be drafted for those issues the parties do agree upon, even if other issues remain that cannot be agreed upon.  Each issue agreed upon and approved by a Court avoids the need for litigation of that issue.  This can serve as an effective means to limit the issue requiring litigation, resulting in a savings in legal fees and emotional distress.

• The parties may work out the issue of custody and visitation, so that an agreement on that issue can be submitted to the Court and made into a Court order.
• "Opting out Stipulations" can be reached during any part of a divorce action, enabling the parties to work out a settlement in the middle of a divorce action.
  • This type of agreement incorporates everything that would be in a separation agreement with the exception of a waiver of estate rights and the right to live separate and apart. 
• Separation agreements can be challenged, and there are mechanisms to get a Court to modify them. 

Suing for separation

It is possible to sue for separation as an alternative to suing for divorce.  This is a viable course of action in the following circumstances:

• Your spouse is unwilling to work out a settlement
• You do not wish to sue for divorce at this time
• There are grounds for separation, similar to the grounds for divorce 

Providing skilled legal counsel and attentive client service

Contact the Law Office of Richard Bombardo, PC at 315-488-5544 for a free consultation, and let Mr. Bombardo answer your questions about separation agreements.  In-office and telephone consultations are available Monday through Friday during normal business hours and by appointment after hours and weekends.  You can also contact the firm online by submitting the intake form on this website.  Flexible payment options are available for clients who meet certain criteria.