Manhattan, New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond
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+1 646-241-8602
Manhattan, New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond
+1 646-241-8602
The apartment, the bonus, the business, the retirement account: in a divorce, everything you built together has to be sorted, valued and divided. Collins Law Group, PLLC is a Manhattan equitable distribution lawyer that works to make sure that division is fair to you, with direct attorney attention and a free consultation.
Tell us what you are facing. Aoife Collins reviews every inquiry personally.
In a Manhattan divorce, the hardest fights are often about money, not feelings. Who keeps the co-op? How much of last year’s bonus is marital? Is the business your spouse runs worth what the tax return says?
New York answers these questions through equitable distribution, which divides marital property fairly. Fair does not always mean 50/50. That gap between “fair” and “equal” is where the right lawyer makes the biggest difference.Collins Law Group, PLLC is the Manhattan equitable distribution lawyer clients turn to when the financial picture is complex. Founder Aoife Collins brings 20 years of matrimonial experience and more than 1,000 resolved matters.
As a former corporate attorney in M&A and antitrust, she reads a balance sheet, an equity grant and a business valuation as closely as a statute. Whether you need an equitable distribution attorney in NYC to negotiate a settlement or to argue your case in court, your matter stays with her from start to finish. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
Every asset raises its own questions about ownership, value and timing. As your asset division lawyer in New York City, we handle each one inside a single, coordinated strategy. Here is what your case can include.
We sort what is shared from what stays yours, including the gray areas of marital vs separate property in New York.
We follow inheritances, gifts and premarital money through mixed accounts to protect your separate claim.
We address buyouts, sales and board approval issues for Manhattan homes and investment properties.
We analyze bonuses, RSUs, stock options and deferred pay to separate the marital share from the rest.
As a business valuation divorce lawyer in NYC, we work with valuation experts to put a credible number on a company or practice.
We divide 401(k)s, IRAs and pensions correctly, including the court orders some plans require.
We use discovery and, where needed, forensic accountants to find concealed assets and address dissipation.
We allocate mortgages, credit lines and loans so you do not leave with more than your fair share of debt.
Property division is part law and part finance. Collins Law Group combines 20 years of matrimonial practice with a corporate finance background, so the numbers behind your case get the same scrutiny as the legal arguments.
Seasoned judgment on how New York courts weigh contributions, needs and the value of what you built.
Prior M&A and antitrust work helps when the case turns on a valuation, an equity plan or a business balance sheet.
Aoife Collins handles your case personally, from the first document request to the final agreement or judgment.
Get a clear read on your assets, your risks and your options before you commit to anything.
Not knowing what you will walk away with is often the most stressful part of a divorce. Our process as your asset division lawyer in New York City turns that uncertainty into a clear plan, one stage at a time.
We study your income, budget, and goals, and explain your options.
We prepare your sworn Statement of Net Worth, request your spouse's records, and bring in valuation experts where an asset is hard to price.
We pursue a fair written settlement first, which usually saves time, cost and privacy.
If agreement is out of reach, we present your case in New York County Supreme Court; if it settles, we make sure the terms are carried into your judgment.
Money questions come first for most people facing divorce. Below are the ones clients ask most about dividing property in New York. If yours is not here, call (646) 241-8602.
New York divides marital property through equitable distribution, meaning a fair split rather than an automatic 50/50. The court first separates marital from separate property, then values the marital assets, then weighs statutory factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and contributions, and future needs. Many couples settle the division themselves instead of leaving it to a judge.
Marital property generally includes what either spouse acquired during the marriage, whatever name is on the title or account. Separate property usually includes what you owned before marriage, inheritances, gifts from someone other than your spouse, and personal injury compensation. Each spouse generally keeps their separate property; only marital property is divided.
It can. Mixing separate money into a joint account, or using it to buy a jointly owned home, can blur the line. An increase in the value of separate property may also be treated as partly marital if your spouse’s contributions or efforts helped it grow. Careful records and tracing can often protect a separate claim.
There is no automatic rule. Common outcomes are a buyout by one spouse, a sale with the proceeds divided, or a delayed sale while children live there. With co-ops, board approval and financing can shape which option is realistic, so it helps to plan for those steps early.
Most matrimonial attorneys in Manhattan bill hourly against an upfront retainer. Total cost depends on how many assets are disputed, whether experts are needed, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Collins Law Group offers a free consultation to review your situation and explain likely costs before you commit.
The decisions made about your property now will shape your finances for years. Work with a Manhattan equitable distribution lawyer who handles your case personally and understands the numbers behind it. Schedule your free, confidential consultation with Collins Law Group