"There is a very stark difference in power and control in a relationship that domestic violence is present in, and that doesn't end when someone asks for a divorce,"
"Divorces can take a year if they're uncontested. Contested ones, which most domestic violence cases are, can take four to five years."
The city council created a $2 million program to provide free legal assistance for income-eligible domestic violence survivors seeking divorce. Hundreds of survivors who can show domestic violence and meet income requirements will receive representation through the Legal Aid Society, New York Legal Assistance Group and Sanctuary for Families. New York divorce proceedings go through the Supreme Court, creating longer, more expensive and paperwork-heavy processes that typically exclude free representation. Lack of legal representation can lead survivors to sign away rights or accept unfavorable terms. The program is expected to begin next year and could enable survivors to address custody, housing, asset division, pensions and visitation without prohibitive legal fees.
Read at Gothamist
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