Jewell Law, PLLC

Jewell Law, PLLC We use our legal experience to resolve matrimonial disputes effectively and efficiently.

At Jewell Law, we apply our abundance of legal knowledge to resolve matrimonial disputes effectively and efficiently. We put all our years of experience and expertise in the judicial process at the disposal of our clients. Our goal is to create closure and to allow our clients to move forward in their lives confidently.

Can you simply change the locks if you want your former romantic partner to move out of your New York City home?When cou...
04/30/2026

Can you simply change the locks if you want your former romantic partner to move out of your New York City home?

When couples decide to live together, they rarely anticipate a messy breakup. However, if your relationship ends and your partner refuses to leave, you might face a significant legal hurdle. Under New York City landlord-tenant law, you cannot force an individual to vacate your residence if they have lived there for more than 30 days.

Instead of a quick exit, your only legal recourse is to initiate a formal . This process is often costly, stressful, and incredibly time-consuming.

Fortunately, you can protect your rights and avoid these disputes long before a relationship ends. A comprehensive cohabitation agreement is an effective tool to address financial issues, share expenses, and dictate what happens to your shared residence.

When you draft this contract, you can secure several critical protections:
- Require a non-owner to waive their right to a lengthy eviction proceeding in exchange for a predetermined payment.
- Establish clear rules for co-owned property, including buy-out rights, return of down payments, and accurate property valuation.
- Mandate mediation as the first step to resolve disagreements, which saves you the expense of going straight to court.

Discover how you can minimize legal disputes and secure your peace of mind by reading our latest blog: https://hubs.la/Q04f1fLc0

Are you avoiding the conversation about a prenuptial agreement because it feels uncomfortable?It's completely natural to...
04/22/2026

Are you avoiding the conversation about a prenuptial agreement because it feels uncomfortable?

It's completely natural to feel awkward discussing the potential end of a marriage before you even exchange vows. However, as people marry later in life, they often bring significant income, assets, and debt into the relationship. A isn't just for the wealthy; it's a practical tool that protects both partners' interests and ensures financial clarity.

Rather than planning for failure, a prenup sets the foundation for a strong, connected partnership. It compels you and your future spouse to have honest conversations about your finances, expectations, and values.

Drafting an agreement provides several critical benefits for your future:
- It requires full disclosure of all money, property, and debt you have accumulated.
- It allows you to make informed, mutual decisions about asset division and spousal support while your relationship is strong.
- It saves you significant time and money if you ever decide to separate or divorce.

Like any legal contract, you should carefully negotiate these matters with a knowledgeable to ensure the terms are fair and address your specific needs.

Learn more about how a prenuptial agreement can set the foundation for a strong partnership by visiting our website: https://hubs.ly/Q04cVvl30

Living together in a long-term relationship without being married leaves you without the automatic legal protections gra...
04/21/2026

Living together in a long-term relationship without being married leaves you without the automatic legal protections granted to married spouses.

Many couples assume their long-term commitment provides natural financial security, but unmarried partners don't share the same as married couples. In New York, a surviving spouse has a legal right to a significant portion of an estate. An unmarried partner, however, is only entitled to an inheritance if they are specifically named in a will, designated as a beneficiary, or listed as a joint owner.

Fortunately, you have clear legal tools to protect your assets and secure your partner's future:
1. : If you plan to marry, a prenup is an excellent way to protect assets for each other. It specifies what property is separate, what is marital, and how you should split assets in the event of divorce, separation, or death.
2. Cohabitation agreements: If you don't intend to get married, a cohabitation agreement provides essential security. This contract addresses daily financial issues, the sharing of living expenses, and the division of property if the relationship ends.

Our focus is on drafting clear, enforceable agreements tailored to your unique circumstances.

Discover the best option to protect your relationship and your assets. Read our full blog to learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04cTvXH0

04/14/2026

Are you worried about how your , such as stock options and deferred compensation, will be valued during your divorce?

Dividing standard bank accounts is challenging enough, but evaluating executive compensation requires a highly specific and authoritative approach. Our goal is to create closure and enable clients to move forward in their lives with confidence. To achieve this, we ensure every asset you earned during your marriage is valued accurately and divided fairly.

In New York, the commencement of a action serves as a definitive line in the sand. Assets acquired or income earned after this date are generally classified as separate property, exempting them from equitable distribution. Because complex assets often vest over several years, we use precise formulas to determine the exact marital portion:

- Stock options: We look at the exact number of days you were married from the grant date up to the day you filed for divorce. We create a specific fraction based on those days, apply it to the value of the options, and divide that marital share equally.
- Deferred compensation: We evaluate the total value of the account at the time you divide it, including any market appreciation or depreciation. Then, we back out any contributions you made after the divorce action started. This ensures we only divide the funds contributed during the marriage.

You don't have to navigate these complicated financial evaluations on your own. We guide you through every step of the process to secure your long-term stability.

Watch the final clip of our video series, Financial Disclosure During a Divorce, to learn how we value complex assets and protect your financial future: https://hubs.la/Q04bX-9V0

Does moving out and living apart mean your legal obligations to your spouse automatically end?Many people assume that ph...
04/10/2026

Does moving out and living apart mean your legal obligations to your spouse automatically end?

Many people assume that physical separation severs their financial and legal ties. However, under , it doesn't matter how long you live in separate households. You are still legally married, and your obligations to each other remain fully intact.

When you marry, you enter into a binding legal contract. This contract grants specific rights and responsibilities, such as the obligation to support each other financially, share inheritance rights, make emergency medical decisions, and divide marital assets and debts.

The state doesn't dissolve this contract simply because you choose to live apart. To protect yourself legally and financially, you have two primary options to formally address your separation:

1. Legal separation: You can obtain a judgment of separation or sign a separation agreement. This process requires you to negotiate financial terms, child support, and custody. It allows you to maintain certain benefits, such as health insurance, while altering other rights.
2. Divorce: In New York, the commencement of a divorce action serves as a definitive line in the sand. Assets acquired or income earned after this date are generally classified as separate property, exempting them from equitable distribution. A final divorce judgment officially ends the marital contract.

Navigating these choices can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Our goal is to create closure and enable clients to move forward in their lives with confidence. We provide the clear, detailed guidance you need to make the right choice for your future.

Discover the critical differences between living apart, , and .

Read our full blog: https://hubs.la/Q04bq4_30

Are you concerned about how your hard-earned assets will be divided during your divorce?Dividing a lifetime of accumulat...
04/07/2026

Are you concerned about how your hard-earned assets will be divided during your divorce?

Dividing a lifetime of accumulated wealth often feels daunting, but understanding the legal framework provides the clarity you need to protect your long-term financial stability.

In New York, the court doesn't simply split everything right down the middle. Judges carefully distinguish between active and passive assets, which significantly impacts your final settlement.

When you evaluate your financial situation, you must keep three key areas in mind:
1. Businesses: As an active asset, a business avoids a strict equal split. Courts use a degree of contribution analysis to determine a fair share. They evaluate both direct involvement and indirect support, such as raising children, paying bills, or managing the household.
2. Homes: If you used your separate property to make a down payment on a marital home, you generally receive a credit for that specific contribution before the court divides the remaining equity equally between you and your spouse.
3. Investments: Courts typically treat investment accounts as passive assets and divide them equally. However, you can retain full ownership of specific funds if you can clearly prove they stem from premarital assets, an inheritance, or a direct gift.

You can inadvertently convert your protected separate wealth into divisible marital property simply by using those funds to pay for shared marital expenses.

Discover the precise strategies you can employ to safeguard your wealth.

Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q049MXkD0

04/02/2026

What happens when your spouse refuses to hand over complete financial records during your divorce?

Navigating the financial details of a divorce can feel overwhelming, especially if you suspect you aren't getting the full picture. When a partner stalls or provides incomplete paperwork, it creates unnecessary stress. Fortunately, the legal system provides a powerful tool to secure the truth.

We can issue legal subpoenas directly to third-party organizations to obtain the exact records we need. Bypassing an uncooperative spouse ensures you receive a highly accurate and unaltered view of the marital finances.

Watch our full video to learn how we use third-party subpoenas to protect your financial future: https://hubs.la/Q049tLqw0

Can you achieve a fair and peaceful divorce settlement without stepping inside a courtroom?Divorce mediation offers a hi...
04/01/2026

Can you achieve a fair and peaceful divorce settlement without stepping inside a courtroom?

Divorce mediation offers a highly effective alternative to traditional litigation, but its success depends entirely on your preparation. While the process feels less formal than a trial, you must approach it with the exact same level of readiness to protect your long-term financial stability and family relationships.

In mediation, you and your spouse work with a neutral third party to negotiate a settlement. This out-of-court approach tends to be faster and less expensive than litigation, and it gives you far greater control over the final outcome. A typical mediation involves three to six sessions lasting about two hours each. The more areas you can agree on, the fewer matters you leave to a judge to decide.

To achieve a fair result, you need to prepare meticulously before your first session even begins.

We recommend focusing on two critical areas:
1. Financial transparency: Gather all relevant documents, including financial statements, tax returns, loan documents, and business records. You should also secure authority appraisals for real property, pensions, and retirement accounts to ensure an equitable split.
2. Parenting plans: If you have children, you must prepare to discuss custody and parenting time. Gather information about the history of the family, the sharing of parental responsibilities, and your work schedules to advocate for the best interests of your children.

You don't have to navigate this process alone. Consulting with your own attorney between sessions ensures you clearly understand your legal rights, your obligations, and the true impact of any agreement you consider signing.

Learn exactly what you need to bring to your sessions and how to secure a favorable outcome by reading our full blog: https://hubs.la/Q049jtRc0

Does "equitable" always mean "equal" when you divide assets in a New York divorce?Many people assume that ending a marri...
03/30/2026

Does "equitable" always mean "equal" when you divide assets in a New York divorce?
Many people assume that ending a marriage means splitting everything right down the middle. However, New York follows the legal principle of equitable distribution. This means courts divide marital property fairly, which doesn't automatically guarantee an equal split.

Understanding how the court determines what is fair is essential to protecting your long-term financial stability. When you evaluate your situation, you need to keep several key concepts in mind:

- Marital versus Separate Property: Courts only divide the assets you acquired during your marriage. The assets you owned before your wedding, or received through inheritance or direct gifts, generally remain your separate property.
- Statutory Factors: Judges evaluate 16 specific statutory factors to decide how to divide your assets. These include the length of your marriage, the health of both parties, and your probable future financial circumstances.
- Active versus Passive Assets: The law treats passive investments, like stocks and bonds, differently from active assets, such as a business or professional practice you actively manage and build.
- The Risk of Commingling: You can inadvertently convert your protected separate wealth into divisible marital property simply by depositing those funds into a joint bank account or using them to pay for shared household expenses.

Dividing a lifetime of accumulated wealth often feels overwhelming. We understand the stress that comes with financial uncertainty. Our goal is to provide you with the detailed clarity you need to protect your hard-earned assets and ensure you receive a fair outcome. We want to help you achieve closure, so you can move forward in your life with confidence.

We break down the complex rules of asset division and offer straightforward guidance on safeguarding what belongs to you in our comprehensive blog post.

Discover exactly how New York handles your finances during a divorce by reading our full blog here: https://hubs.la/Q048m6L10

03/26/2026

What happens when your spouse refuses to share their financial records during a divorce?

Navigating a divorce is already an emotionally challenging process. When a partner attempts to stall or hide behind a wall of financial secrecy, it can feel incredibly frustrating and overwhelming. However, you don't need to panic. The legal system provides strict mechanisms to ensure full transparency and protect your future.

You do not have to navigate these deliberate roadblocks alone. We know exactly how to identify missing documents, issue deficiency letters, and compel the production of records, so you never lose out on the assets you rightfully deserve.

Watch our latest video to learn exactly how to handle uncooperative spouses and uncover the truth: https://hubs.la/Q048hS1Y0

When preparing to serve divorce papers, many people worry about their spouse’s reaction.You take a massive step when you...
03/25/2026

When preparing to serve divorce papers, many people worry about their spouse’s reaction.

You take a massive step when you file for divorce, but your case doesn't truly begin until you officially serve your spouse. While the legal procedure itself seems straightforward, the way you handle it can set the tone for your entire divorce settlement.

In New York, you have 120 days to serve the papers after filing your summons with the county clerk. If you miss this window, the court deems your action abandoned. You have three primary options to complete this requirement:

1. Hire a professional process server to deliver the documents directly to your spouse.
2. Have your attorney hand-deliver the papers to your spouse's attorney, who then signs an acknowledgement of service.
3. Hand-deliver the papers yourself, provided your spouse willingly signs an acknowledgement stating they will not contest the service.

How you choose to deliver these documents matters immensely. We rarely advise surprising your spouse, as a sudden shock can trigger unnecessary anger and make the ensuing negotiations far more costly and time-consuming. Instead, we often suggest having a calm conversation beforehand to let them know the papers are on the way.

If you expect a difficult reaction, you might even delay the official service briefly to give them time to process the news. A process server offers a reliable method, but they might approach your spouse in a public or embarrassing setting. Handling the delivery through attorneys often keeps the matter private and reduces early conflict.

Our goal is to help you navigate this delicate step smoothly, so you can move forward in your life with confidence. Discover exactly how to choose the right approach for your unique situation.

Read our full blog: https://hubs.la/Q048g81m0

Address

260 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY
10016

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+12128567273

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