Same Sex Divorce Attorney in Suffolk County

Respectful Guidance For Same-Sex Divorce On Long Island

Ending a marriage or long-term relationship is never easy, and navigating a same-sex divorce adds extra legal and emotional questions. You may be worried about your children, your home, and what your life will look like on the other side. You should not have to sort through those concerns alone.

At The Law Offices of Michael Catalanotto, P.C., we work with LGBTQ+ clients in Suffolk County who are considering or going through divorce. Our team focuses on family and matrimonial law, and we understand how same-sex relationships and families can raise unique issues when a marriage ends. We take time to listen, explain your options in plain language, and help you make informed choices.

With nearly two decades of legal experience in family, matrimonial, and real estate matters, we offer steady guidance at a moment when everything feels uncertain. We combine this experience with modern communication tools so you can reach us, review documents, and stay updated, even when your schedule is demanding.

Contact our trusted same-sex divorce lawyer in Suffolk County at (631) 621-3750 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Why Same Sex Divorce Needs Careful Guidance

New York recognizes same-sex marriage in the same way as any other marriage, yet the history of your relationship and family can create questions that require careful legal attention. Many couples built lives together before marriage equality, adopted children, or purchased real estate in ways that do not always fit neatly into standard forms.

Parents may worry about what happens if only one spouse is a biological or adoptive parent. Others may have spent years combining finances, building retirement savings, or investing in a home here on Long Island long before they could legally marry. These details can affect how the property is viewed and how parenting arrangements are structured when the relationship ends.

We also understand that respect and privacy are not abstract ideas for LGBTQ+ clients. You may be concerned about how judges, court staff, or opposing counsel will view your family. Our firm focuses on family and matrimonial law and real estate, so we are used to navigating sensitive dynamics in a way that protects both your legal interests and your dignity.

When we meet with you, we look closely at how and when your relationship developed, how you built your family, and what matters most to you now. That allows us to design a legal approach that reflects your reality rather than forcing your case into a template that ignores the distinct issues that same-sex spouses often face.

How Our Suffolk County Family Law Team Helps

When you come to us, we start by listening. We want to understand your priorities regarding children, finances, and day-to-day life, and we ask about the history of your relationship so we can see the full picture. From there, we discuss the legal options available under New York divorce law and how those options align with your goals.

Our team has spent nearly twenty years handling family and matrimonial matters along with related real estate issues. That experience is especially useful when same-sex spouses have purchased homes together, own investment property, or have business interests that are tied to the marriage. We look at how assets and debts are titled, how they were acquired, and what you need for long-term stability.

Attorney Michael Catalanotto holds both a J.D. and an M.B.A. This combined legal and business training helps us analyze financial situations, such as retirement accounts, business interests, or overlapping personal and business assets. We aim to translate that analysis into practical strategies that support your present needs and plans.

In some cases, a negotiated settlement that respects both spouses and reduces conflict is possible, especially when children are involved. In others, more assertive advocacy in court is necessary to safeguard your rights. We work to balance these approaches, staying ready to litigate when needed while always looking for efficient, constructive solutions.

Communication is central to how we practice. We use secure technology to share updates and documents, schedule meetings, and answer questions. Clients often have work, parenting, and personal pressures at the same time they are going through a divorce, so our goal is to make staying informed as straightforward as possible.

Key Issues In Same Sex Divorce Cases

New York is a no-fault divorce state, which generally means a marriage can be ended without proving wrongdoing. For same-sex spouses, the groundwork is similar, but the specific issues that arise during the case can be more involved. Understanding those issues in advance can help you feel more prepared for conversations with our team.

Property division is a central concern for many clients. Courts typically look at marital property, which often includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage. For same-sex couples, the relationship may have begun long before marriage was legally available, and you may have purchased a home in Suffolk County or built retirement savings during that earlier time. We review how property is titled, when it was acquired, and how you and your spouse contributed, then work with you to pursue a fair outcome.

Children raise some of the most sensitive questions in same-sex divorce. One spouse may be a biological parent, both may have completed a second-parent or step-parent adoption, or a child may have been conceived or adopted before formal legal steps were taken. We look carefully at the legal status of each parent and the existing bonds within your family, then help you seek parenting schedules and decision-making arrangements that reflect your children’s best interests.

Spousal support, sometimes called maintenance, can also be an issue. Courts often consider factors such as length of the marriage, income, earning capacity, and contributions to the household. For same-sex couples who shared finances long before legal marriage, it can feel difficult to focus only on the legal marriage date. We discuss how courts generally approach this and what information may help present your circumstances clearly.

Throughout these conversations, we focus on clarity. Our role is to explain how New York law tends to handle situations like yours, identify areas where the history of your relationship may require closer attention, and work with you to build a strategy that reflects your priorities for your children, your property, and your future.

What To Expect From The Divorce Process

Uncertainty about the process itself often adds stress to an already difficult time. Knowing the general steps in a New York divorce can make the path ahead feel more manageable, even though the exact details will depend on your situation and your spouse’s response.

Most cases start with an initial consultation, where we learn about your goals and review basic information about your marriage, family, and finances. If you choose to move forward, we prepare and file the documents needed to begin the divorce. For residents of Suffolk County, divorce cases are generally filed and heard in the Supreme Court located within the county, although specific procedures can vary.

After filing, there may be temporary arrangements to address pressing issues such as parenting schedules, child support, or use of the marital home. Many cases then move into negotiation or settlement discussions, where both sides exchange financial information and explore possible agreements. If agreement is reached, the court reviews the documents and, if everything is in order, will generally finalize the divorce without a trial. If major issues remain disputed, hearings or a trial may be scheduled.

Timelines vary based on court scheduling, the complexity of your assets, and the level of conflict between spouses. Some cases can resolve in several months, while others take longer. Throughout the process, we work to keep you informed about what is happening and what comes next so that you are not left guessing.

If you are thinking about divorce, helpful first steps include:

• Gather recent financial records, such as tax returns, bank statements, and retirement account information.
• Consider your priorities for children, including schedules, schools, and activities.
• List significant assets and debts, including any real estate or business interests.
• Think about your immediate concerns, such as housing or safety, that may need prompt attention.
• Schedule a confidential consultation to talk through your questions with our team.

Our goal is to guide you through each stage, explain your options in clear terms, and help you make decisions that support your life during and after the divorce.