Contested Divorce in Queens

Attorney Natalie Markfeld: 13 Years Fighting for Queens Families

When a divorce involves real disagreements over property, children, or support, the attorney across the table and the relationships built inside the courthouse matter. Attorney Natalie Markfeld has spent over 13 years helping New Yorkers protect their rights through divorce and other family law matters. We represent clients throughout Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, handling divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division.

If your divorce involves unresolved disagreements, we can help you understand your options and build a strategy. Call (718) 569-8618 to schedule a consultation with Markfeld Law.

What Makes a Divorce “Contested”

A contested divorce is one where the spouses disagree on at least one issue and the case moves through a series of court hearings rather than a straightforward filing. That doesn’t mean a trial is inevitable. Many divorces that begin contested eventually shift toward agreement as both sides negotiate and narrow the disputed issues. Courts actively encourage this: judges generally prefer that parties reach their own terms rather than have a decree imposed on them, so mediation or collaborative divorce is often promoted along the way.

Grounds for Divorce Under New York Law

New York is a no-fault divorce state. A spouse only needs to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably for at least six months to file, and that’s the path most couples take. The law also permits fault-based grounds, such as adultery or cruel and inhuman treatment, though these are rarely pursued in practice.

One point worth knowing: it generally doesn’t matter which spouse files first. The filing spouse may have a minor practical advantage in selecting the date and time of the initial hearing, but the court applies the same standards to both sides throughout the case.

How a Contested Divorce Moves Through Queens County Courts

Contested divorce cases are filed and heard in the Supreme Court, Queens County, in Jamaica, NY. The Supreme Court is the only court in New York that can grant a divorce. Once the case is filed, the responding spouse must be served. If served in person within New York State, that spouse generally has 20 days to answer; service by other means extends that window to 30 days.

From there, both parties exchange financial information through the discovery process. Queens matrimonial judges hold preliminary conferences to set timelines and identify the issues still in dispute. If settlement talks don’t produce an agreement, the case can move toward trial, and the judge can resolve the outstanding matters and finalize the divorce. Child custody and support issues may also involve the Queens County Family Court, in Jamaica, NY, though that court can’t itself grant a divorce.

Issues We Handle in a Contested Divorce

Most contested divorces involve one or more of three core disputes. We work with clients on all of them:

Child Custody & Visitation
Custody arrangements cover both legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (where the child lives). When parents disagree, the court looks to what is best for the child. We help clients prepare and present the facts that bear on that determination.

Equitable Distribution of Marital Property
New York divides marital property equitably, meaning fairly but not necessarily equally. Courts weigh several factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial contributions, and future earning capacity. We help clients identify and value marital assets and advocate for a distribution that reflects their circumstances.

Spousal Support & Maintenance
We work with both payors and recipients to negotiate spousal support arrangements. When spouses can’t agree, the court considers factors such as income, length of the marriage, and each party’s standard of living.

Why Queens Clients Choose Markfeld Law

Attorney Natalie Markfeld has built working relationships with judges and opposing counsel throughout Queens and the surrounding counties over the course of her career. In a contested divorce, those relationships can shape how negotiations proceed and how cases are presented in court. Familiarity with local practice, individual judges’ preferences, and the attorneys likely to appear on the other side is a practical advantage that can become visible quickly once a case is in motion.

We take on only the cases we genuinely believe in, which keeps our caseload focused and our advocacy direct. Every client works closely with our team throughout their matter, with consistent communication and a clear understanding of where things stand at every stage.

Schedule a Consultation About Your Case

A contested divorce carries real stakes for your finances, your children, and your future. Getting experienced counsel early can help you understand what the process looks like, what to expect from Queens County courts, and which positions may be worth fighting for.

Contact Markfeld Law at (718) 569-8618 to schedule your consultation today.