Sample packet · New York
A sample New York divorce packet
This is what we put in front of someone who is about to start a New York divorce without a lawyer: which route applies, which forms go with which answers, what happens in what order, what it costs, and three worksheets to fill in before any meeting. If you work with people going through a divorce, you can print it and hand it over as it is. Sections 1 to 4 come from our New York guide, the New York divorce kit, where each figure carries its source. Sources last checked 14 September 2026, so check current fees before you quote a number to anyone.
1. Which route
Residency comes first. Only one of four tests has to be met: either spouse has lived in New York continuously for the last two years; either spouse has lived here for the last year and the marriage took place here, the couple lived here as a married couple, or the grounds happened here; the grounds happened here and both spouses live here now; or the marriage took place here and the couple lived here, and either spouse has lived here continuously for at least a year. Filing before a test is met cannot be fixed with better paperwork; the court lacks jurisdiction and the case is dismissed.
| Route | When it applies | What is different |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, defendant signs UD-7 | A complete written agreement covers property and debt and, where there are children under 21, custody and support; the defendant will sign the Affirmation of Defendant (UD-7) instead of being served. | No formal service. The case can move toward the Note of Issue without waiting out the 40-day period. |
| Uncontested, defendant is served | Everything is agreed and the defendant is not contesting, but will not sign before being served. | The summons must be served within 120 days of filing (CPLR 306-b) or the case is dismissed. A cooperative defendant can still sign UD-7 afterward. |
| Contested | Terms are not fully settled, or the other spouse is contesting or will not cooperate. | Not covered by the free uncontested packet or by our kit. |
2. Forms that depend on the answers
| If | Forms |
|---|---|
| Every route | UD-1a summons; UD-2 verified complaint (where grounds are stated); UD-13 request for judicial intervention; NAO notice of automatic orders, served with the summons |
| Uncontested | UD-4 (required if married in a religious ceremony, unless the spouse waives it in writing); UD-5; UD-6; UD-8(1) income worksheet; UD-9 note of issue (three copies); UD-10; UD-11 judgment; UD-12; UD-14; UD-15; DOH-2168 (Department of Health, not a court form) |
| Defendant is served | UD-3 affirmation of service, completed by the process server |
| Children under 21 | UD-8(3) child support worksheet (required even if the amount is agreed); UD-8a; UD-8b; UCS-840M (children under 18); UCS-111; NGM and CSSC, served with the summons |
| Maintenance requested | UD-8(2) maintenance guidelines worksheet |
| Written demand for financial disclosure, or a preliminary conference is set | SNW statement of net worth |
| Defendant signs | UD-7 affirmation of defendant |
With children under 18, a judge may order both parents to a certified parent education program (22 NYCRR 144.3). It is not required in every case, so it depends on the judge.
3. The order it happens in
| Step | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm residency and pick grounds | UD-2 | None named |
| Buy the index number and file, before anyone is served | UD-1a, UD-2 | $210 |
| Serve the spouse | 120-day deadline; or UD-7 signed | Private server $40 to $75; sheriff about $40 where available |
| Barriers to remarriage, if it applies | UD-4 | Remote online notary about $25 |
| Wait out the 40-day period, or get it waived | None named | |
| Exchange financial disclosure, if demanded | 10 to 20 days | None named |
| File the Note of Issue packet | UD-11, UD-13, UD-10, UD-6, UD-9, UD-7, UD-5 | $125 (request for judicial intervention $95 plus note of issue $30) |
| Judge reviews and signs, usually without a hearing | None named | |
| Serve the Notice of Entry and close out | UD-15, UD-14 | Certified copy of the judgment about $8 to $10 |
Court fees in total for an uncontested divorce: $335 (index number $210, request for judicial intervention $95, note of issue $30). Typical all-in when doing it yourselves: about $385 to $460. Poor Person relief (CPLR 1101) can waive the index number fee, the note of issue fee and service costs.
4. What we could not settle for you
Which forms a specific case needs depends on facts only the person and their lawyer know. Download every form fresh, because clerks reject superseded revisions. Several steps list no cost or form that the state names, and we have not estimated them. Contested cases are outside this packet. The financial disclosure statement (SNW) is due within 20 days of a written demand, 10 days after joinder of issue if nobody demanded one, and again 10 days before any preliminary conference.
5. Sample worksheets
These three are sample prep sheets from The Cusp’s planning tools, shortened to one page each. They are examples of the format, not New York court forms, and they are not filed with any court.
Document inventory
| Document | Where it is | Have it? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 3 years of tax returns | |||
| Recent pay stubs | |||
| Bank, brokerage and retirement statements | |||
| Mortgage and property records | |||
| Credit card and loan statements | |||
| Insurance policies |
Two-household monthly budget
| Item | Today (one household) | After: me | After: spouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Utilities | |||
| Food | |||
| Transportation | |||
| Insurance and health | |||
| Children | |||
| Debt payments | |||
| Total |
Meeting prep sheet
| Question for the meeting | Answer or next step |
|---|---|
| What do I most need decided first? | |
| What deadlines am I already facing? | |
| What am I unsure I can afford? | |
| What documents am I still missing? |
Sources last checked 14 September 2026. Spot something out of date? Email hello@thecusp.app. Full source list: the New York divorce kit.
What would you change? Reply with the two edits that would make this more useful to you: hello@thecusp.app.