How Do I Protect My Privacy During My Divorce in New York?

With high-net couples having a significant amount of marital assets to dispute during their divorce, they may desire to keep these matters as private as possible. If this is your situation, read on to see how a proficient Nassau County high net worth divorce lawyer at The Pollack Law Firm, P.C., can help you with maintaining privacy.

Litigation vs. alternative divorce methods. What is the best method for protecting privacy?

With litigation, your divorce proceedings will be conducted in the presence of a New York court and your settlement terms will ultimately be documented in the public records. This is not the case for alternative divorce methods. Rather, your private conversations regarding alimony, property division, child support, and child custody terms will remain private. Below are the different types of alternative methods:

• Mediation: this process includes a neutral third party who mediates between you and your spouse to finalize a settlement agreement that works for both of your interests. This person does not necessarily have to be an attorney.
• Collaboration: this process includes attorneys who use negotiation techniques to reach a settlement agreement. You, your spouse, and your respective attorneys will sign an agreement before the collaboration that promises confidentiality and denies the option of litigation.
• Arbitration: this process involves an arbitrator who makes the final decision on your settlement agreement, much like a judge in court.

What other methods can help with privacy?

It is important to note that alternative methods of divorce usually only work if you and your spouse can amicably agree on most settlement terms. If this is not a possibility and you need to opt for litigation, you can still do things before entering the courtroom that can protect your privacy. For instance, you and your spouse can make a temporary agreement, with the help of your respective attorneys, that outlines specific privacy terms you must follow throughout your divorce proceedings. Since this is done outside of the courtroom, this document will not enter the public records.

Also beforehand, if you have a prenuptial agreement, you should review it. There may be privacy clauses that limit you and your spouse from speaking publicly about the divorce. Or, there may be clauses that allow you to make settlement agreements outside of the courtroom.

Additionally, you should think diligently about which grounds for divorce you will cite. Since the grounds can become public knowledge, it may be better to cite no-fault grounds for irreconcilable differences rather than, for instance, fault grounds for adultery.

Do not hesitate in reaching out to a talented Long Island divorce attorney who will make protecting your privacy a top priority.

Contact our experienced Nassau County firm

The Pollack Law Firm, P.C., is always available to assist and represent parties in divorce, separation, and all other matrimonial and family law matters. Contact us online or call today to schedule your complimentary case analysis: (516) 938-3330.