Long Island Divorce & Family Law Video Library: Answers to Your Questions
Divorce and family law decisions can affect your finances, your children, and your future for years to come. Whether you’re considering divorce, concerned about child custody, facing a dispute over marital assets, or wondering what to expect in a New York divorce, understanding your legal rights and options is an important first step.
In this video library, the experienced attorneys at The Long Island Divorce & Family Law Group, Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. answer common questions about divorce and family law in Nassau County and Suffolk County, NY. Our videos explain complex legal issues in straightforward language, helping you better understand New York divorce laws, potential challenges, and the decisions you may face.
Explore videos covering contested and uncontested divorce, high-net-worth divorce, property division, child custody and support, spousal maintenance, divorce mediation, and other important family law topics. New videos are added regularly to help Long Island residents make more informed decisions about their families and their futures.
Browse the videos below to better understand your options and prepare for the road ahead. Have questions about your specific situation? Call 631-923-1910 for a Complimentary Matter Review.
The videos below are grouped into interest sections. To skip to a section, click on the topic below.
PRE-DIVORCE MATTERS
Divorce should be a last resort, not a reaction to a temporary rough patch. Before you decide to divorce, consider if your marriage is really broken. Can you save your marriage? When you’re sure you need to divorce, Learn the three ways divorce can improve your life, answers to the top 6 questions people ask about the process and learn and how to find the right divorce lawyer for you.
Can a marriage be saved before divorce becomes inevitable? In this video, Robert E. Hornberger, a seasoned divorce and family law attorney, explains five practical steps couples should consider before filing for divorce.
Is your marriage truly over — or is it going through a painful but temporary phase? In this video, Robert E. Hornberger, Managing Partner of Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C., explains how to evaluate one of life’s most difficult decisions: whether a struggling marriage can be repaired or whether separation may be the healthier path.
Can divorce actually improve your life? In this video, Robert E. Hornberger, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner of Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C., explains three powerful ways divorce can become a positive turning point—even when the process feels overwhelming.
Are you thinking about filing for divorce in New York and not sure where to start? In this video, experienced Long Island divorce attorney Robert Hornberger breaks down the top 6 questions people ask before filing for divorce—so you can better understand the process, your rights, and what to expect.
There are many types of divorce law firms, from General Practitioners, to Solo Practitioners to large “Divorce Factories” to Mid-Sized Divorce Law Firms. Learn which divorce law firm is right for you and your family.
DIVORCE PROCESS
How much does a divorce cost? How long does it take? What are the least expensive ways to divorce? How can you keep your divorce affordable? Can you DIY your divorce? What are 5 ways to reduce the cost of your divorce? Who loses most in divorce and expert tips to help you win your divorce. How to protect your emotional and mental health during your divorce. Get answers to all these questions and more.
Divorce doesn’t have to break the bank. In this video, we walk you through the most affordable divorce options available in Nassau and Suffolk County, NY. Whether you’re considering uncontested divorce, mediation, or collaborative divorce, we explain how to protect your rights while keeping costs low.
How much does a divorce cost on Long Island, and how should you choose a New York divorce attorney? Robert E. Hornberger, Esq. explains the factors that drive divorce costs, what unusually low advertised fees may exclude, how conflict and financial complexity affect legal expenses, and which questions to ask before retaining an attorney.
In this video, experienced Long Island divorce attorney Robert Hornberger explains the top 4 questions people ask about divorce timelines, including how long uncontested and contested divorces take, and what factors can delay your case. Understanding the timeline of divorce can help you plan ahead, reduce stress, and make informed decisions about your future.
In this video, experienced Long Island divorce attorney Robert Hornberger explains the top 5 questions people ask about divorce costs, including attorney fees, uncontested divorce options, and how to avoid expensive litigation. Understanding the financial side of divorce can help you plan ahead, reduce stress, and make smarter decisions during this critical time.
Considering a DIY divorce in Nassau or Suffolk County? Learn when it’s smart to handle your divorce yourself — and when you should call an experienced Long Island divorce lawyer to avoid costly mistakes. Free consultations available.
What happens to your home, retirement accounts, and financial assets in a New York divorce? Property division is one of the most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of divorce. In New York, assets are divided under the principle of equitable distribution, which means fairly—but not necessarily equally. In this video, experienced Long Island divorce attorney Robert Hornberger explains the top 5 questions about property division, including equitable distribution, marital vs. separate property, and how courts divide assets.
Your divorce doesn’t have to be expensive. Learn how much a divorce costs and ways to reduce the cost of your divorce.
Your divorce doesn’t have to be expensive. Learn five proven ways to reduce the cost of your divorce. Learn more here: bit.ly/3O6kaHy
Divorce is often seen as a battle between spouses where there is a winner and a loser. It doesn’t have to be that way, but find out which party often loses most in a divorce.
Divorce can be a long, challenging process. These 6 expert tips will help smooth your divorce process and help you win.
Divorce is never just about legal paperwork — it’s an emotional and mental health journey. On Long Island, many people struggle with grief, anxiety, and stress during and after separation. In this video, we explore practical ways to protect your emotional wellbeing, support your children, and connect with therapists, support groups, and community resources across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
CONTESTED DIVORCE
Not every divorce needs to be contested, but sometimes it’s the right choice. A contested divorce is often the most complex, stressful and expensive way to end your marriage. Learn the difference between contested and uncontested divorce, 5 reasons to contest your divorce, how to prepare for a contested divorce and the practical and emotional considerations of your contested divorce.
Learn the pros, cons, costs & timelines of contested vs. uncontested divorce in Nassau & Suffolk County to make informed choices about your future.
Gain insights into the intricacies of contested divorce & and why it may be right for you. Expert advice shows how to make the best decision. Five Compelling Reasons to Contest a Divorce: Insights from Legal Experts.
Preparing for a contested divorce on Long Island? The decisions ahead may affect your finances, your home and your children. Getting organized early helps you understand the issues and work more effectively with your attorney. Robert E. Hornberger, Esq., founder and managing partner of The Long Island Divorce & Family Law Group, Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C., explains how to prepare financial records, approach disclosure, develop a practical parenting proposal and get ready for court conferences.
Practical methods to manage your emotions during a contested divorce. Learn to set realistic expectations to navigate this challenging period.
DIVORCE MEDIATION
For the right couples that can communicate amicably and have few unresolved issues, divorce mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method that can save you time, money and emotional stress in your divorce. Learn the benefits of divorce mediation, how mediation compares to litigation in effecting your divorce and how much a simple divorce mediation generally costs?
Looking for a less stressful, more affordable alternative to traditional divorce? In this video, we’ll walk you through how to find the best divorce mediation services near you—especially on Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk counties. Discover what makes a great divorce mediator, what questions to ask during your first consultation, what to expect with costs, and why mediation might be the right choice for your family.
Mediation vs. Litigation in High-Net-Worth Divorce: Which Is Right for Your Long Island Divorce? If you’re facing a high-net-worth divorce on Long Island, choosing between mediation and litigation may be one of the most important decisions you make. For couples with significant assets, business interests, executive compensation, trusts, investment portfolios, or multiple real estate holdings, the divorce process itself can have a major impact on privacy, cost, control, and long-term financial outcomes.
How much does divorce mediation cost on Long Island? It is one of the first questions couples ask when they begin comparing mediation with a traditional litigated divorce.
DIVORCE FINANCES
Divorce affects every part of your life, including your finances and property. Learn how to achieve financial freedom after your divorce, including how to create a realistic post-divorce budget, rebuild your credit, protect your retirement, and plan for tax and insurance changes. Learn 5 steps to protect your financial future and what happens to what is likely your largest investment, the marital home.
If you’re recently divorced and living in Nassau or Suffolk County, Long Island, it’s time to take control of your finances—from creating a realistic post-divorce budget to rebuilding your credit, managing debt, protecting your retirement, and planning for tax and insurance changes.
Dividing the marital home during a divorce is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions you’ll make. Should you sell, refinance, or buy out your spouse? In this video, Long Island divorce attorney Robert E. Hornberger, Esq. explains the pros and cons of each option so you can protect your equity, your credit, and your long-term financial future under New York divorce law.
Going through a divorce on Long Island? Beyond the emotional challenges, divorce can bring serious financial risks. In this video, Robert E. Hornberger, Esq., explains 5 proven steps to reduce financial loss during divorce in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence is all too common in troubled marriages on Long Island. Learn how a domestic violence lawyer can protect your rights and guide you through criminal and family court orders. Domestic violence does not always involve physical harm. In many relationships, abuse takes the form of coercive control, psychological manipulation, financial restriction, and intimidation.
Learn how a New York domestic violence lawyer can protect your rights, file orders of protection, and guide you through criminal and family court cases.
Domestic violence does not always involve physical harm. In many relationships, abuse takes the form of coercive control, a pattern of psychological manipulation, financial restriction, and intimidation designed to dominate a partner. In this video, Long Island divorce attorney Robert Hornberger explains how coercive control works and why courts increasingly recognize these patterns in divorce and child custody cases in New York.
What is marital abandonment? Abandonment in marriage leads to questions surrounding individual rights, within the complex framework of divorce law In New York, ‘abandonment’ in marriage is a term loaded with emotional consequences and legal ramifications. Simply defined, it’s when one spouse leaves without consent or a valid reason.
UNCONTESTED DIVORCE
When New York codified no-fault divorce in 2010, it effectively simplified, expedited, and lowered the cost of uncontested divorces. Learn the difference between uncontested divorce, contested divorce, divorce mediation and collaborative divorce and how to prepare for an uncontested divorce. Watch our video guide to uncontested divorce to steer you through this pivotal life transition.
What is the difference between contested divorce, uncontested divorce, mediation and collaborative divorce in New York? Long Island divorce attorney Robert E. Hornberger, Esq. explains how each process works, what must be resolved before a divorce becomes uncontested, why a contested case does not necessarily have to go to trial, and when mediation or collaborative divorce may be appropriate.
With the right preparation, and by focusing on a few key steps, navigating an uncontested divorce can be a smoother process than you might expect. The following recommendations can help you approach your uncontested divorce with clarity and purpose, ultimately making the journey less stressful for all.
Learn the pros, cons, costs & timelines of contested vs. uncontested divorce in Nassau & Suffolk County to make informed choices about your future.
When your ex won’t follow your custody agreement, it’s not just stressful — it’s a violation of a court order. In this video, the Long Island family law attorneys at Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. explain what to do if your ex continually ignores custody terms, how to document violations, and when to take your case back to Nassau or Suffolk County Family Court.
CHILD CUSTODY
With spouses living in separate locations after divorce, both spouses want to ensure they remain an integral part of their children’s lives. Our child custody experts share tips and keys to success in child custody, 8 ways to win your child custody battle, what to do if your spouse doesn’t follow your custody agreement, how to create a strong child custody parenting plan, the difference between custody and guardianship and even who gets the pets after your divorce.
In this guide, our experienced custody attorneys will provide critical information on custody types and effective solutions to secure your child’s best interests. Knowing the differences between the different types of custody arrangements available can help you choose what’s best for your child. You’ll learn about: Physical custody, Legal custody, Joint custody, Sole custody, Visitation rights and Strategies for mediation.
When your ex won’t follow your custody agreement, it’s not just stressful — it’s a violation of a court order. In this video, the Long Island family law attorneys at Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. explain what to do if your ex continually ignores custody terms, how to document violations, and when to take your case back to Nassau or Suffolk County Family Court.
Child Custody is one of the hardest and most emotional parts of any divorce. Discover ways to increase the chances of winning your child custody battle.
Confused about the difference between guardianship and child custody in NY? Learn what each means, when to file, and how Long Island courts make decisions. For a free consultation, call Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. at 631-923-1910. In this video, we explain the key legal differences between child custody and guardianship in New York, especially in Nassau and Suffolk County family courts. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or concerned relative, this guide helps you understand your rights and responsibilities.
If you’re going through a divorce in Nassau or Suffolk County, pet custody can be one of the most emotional and contested issues. In this video, experienced Long Island divorce attorney Robert Hornberger explains how New York courts decide pet custody—and what you can do to protect your rights.
CHILD & SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Child support and spousal maintenance (also known as alimony), are two important factors for most families going through a divorce on Long Island. One party to the divorce wants to learn if they will be required to pay and how much and the other wants to know if they will receive support for themselves and their children. Learn if you will pay or receive spousal maintenance and child support and what do if your ex refuses to pay.
Are you struggling to collect child support on Long Island? If your ex isn’t following a court order, New York law gives you real enforcement power — from wage garnishment and property liens to license suspensions and contempt of court.
Will you have to pay spousal maintenance in a New York divorce? How much could it be, and how long might it continue? Long Island divorce attorney Robert E. Hornberger, Esq. explains temporary maintenance, post-divorce maintenance, New York’s guideline calculation, the advisory duration schedule and what may happen when a spouse’s financial circumstances change.
PRE & POST NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
Pre- and post-nuptial agreements were once nearly taboo subjects in most marriages. But in today’s world of couples marrying later in life when they have accumulated assets and the frequency of second-marriages they have become much more common. Learn if your pre- or post-nup should cover a stay at home spouse and why these agreements are even more essential in second marriages.
Should your New York prenuptial agreement protect a stay-at-home spouse or a spouse who makes significant career sacrifices for the family? Many engaged couples focus on protecting assets they already own, but what about the financial impact of leaving the workforce to raise children, support a spouse’s career, build a business, or care for family members? In this video, Long Island family law attorney Robert E. Hornberger explains how modern New York prenuptial agreements can address career sacrifices, why these provisions are becoming more common, and what couples should consider before signing a prenup.
A second marriage may begin after you have already accumulated a home, retirement savings, investment accounts, business interests and other significant property. You may also have children from a previous relationship whose inheritance you want to protect. In this video, Long Island divorce and family law attorney Robert E. Hornberger, Esq. explains how a New York prenuptial agreement may help couples entering a second marriage.
HIGH NET WORTH DIVORCE
Learn how to protect your wealth in your high net worth divorce. Is mediation or litigation better for your unique situation? Discover how to structure your divorce settlement to minimize your tax consequences and how to find out what is your business really worth. What happens to your home, retirement and debt in equitable distribution and learn why you should file your QDRO right away.
When you’re facing a divorce involving significant wealth — $5 million, $10 million, or more — one thing becomes immediately clear: you cannot afford a mistake. Your financial future, your business, your real estate, and your long-term security depend on choosing the right attorney. You need a firm that knows how to navigate the complexity, the pressure, and the high stakes of a high net worth divorce.
Mediation vs. Litigation in High-Net-Worth Divorce: Which Is Right for Your Long Island Divorce? If you’re facing a high-net-worth divorce on Long Island, choosing between mediation and litigation may be one of the most important decisions you make. For couples with significant assets, business interests, executive compensation, trusts, investment portfolios, or multiple real estate holdings, the divorce process itself can have a major impact on privacy, cost, control, and long-term financial outcomes.
When high-net-worth couples divorce, dividing assets is only part of the equation. The tax consequences associated with investment portfolios, retirement accounts, business interests, stock options, trusts, and real estate can significantly affect the true value of a divorce settlement. In this video, the experienced Long Island divorce attorneys at Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. explain how taxes can impact high-asset divorce cases and why proper planning is essential when substantial wealth is involved.
If you are going through a high-net-worth divorce on Long Island and executive compensation is involved, understanding how RSUs, stock options, deferred compensation, and executive bonuses are divided under New York law is critical.
What is your business really worth in a Long Island divorce? For many business owners, a closely held company, professional practice, partnership interest, or family-owned business represents the largest asset in the marital estate. Before a business can be divided, bought out, offset against other assets, or considered during settlement negotiations, it often must be valued.
If you are going through a high-net-worth divorce on Long Island and there are trusts, inheritances, family wealth, or separate property issues involved, understanding how New York courts classify and divide assets is critical.
Who gets the house in a New York divorce? Are retirement accounts divided? Does an asset belong to one spouse simply because only that spouse’s name appears on the account? Robert E. Hornberger, Esq. explains how New York equitable-distribution law generally approaches marital property, separate property, homes, retirement benefits, businesses and marital debt.
Delaying a QDRO after divorce can trigger tax penalties, lost retirement benefits, and costly disputes. Learn why filing a QDRO promptly protects your share under New York law.
If you are facing divorce in Nassau County or Suffolk County, understanding how equitable distribution works under New York law is critical to protecting your financial future. Many people believe divorce automatically means a 50/50 division of assets. In reality, New York follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means marital property is divided fairly—not necessarily equally. In this video, we explain how New York courts divide marital property and address many of the complex financial issues commonly involved in Long Island divorce cases.