Dunkirk, NY Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

It depends upon a number of things: 1) what part of New York, 2) how much fighting will you and your spouse do, 3) how much property/how many 401k/pensions are there to divide

Your husband cannot cut you off from your joint bank accounts and if he did, your bank has some answering to do. Unfortunately, if the credit cards were opened in his name he can close them, but the bottom line is that in a divorce, he's going to have to account for money he took right before the divorce. In New York everything acquired during a marriage is marital property and is split 50-50. You will be entitled to spousal maintenance even before the divorce is finalized. If the apartment was purchased during the marriage and/or your name is on the stock certificate (if it's a co-op) or deed (if it's a condo), your husband cannot just sell it- your name should be on it and even if it's not, you're entitled to half of the value of it. If it's just leased and the lease runs out while you're not there, there's not much you can do about it, but he can't just discard your belongings. You say you have nowere to go but it's the middle of the summer and school must be out so you must be living somewhere. You didn't mention how old your kids are and whether you've been seeing them and if not, why.  You also didn't mention when your husband served you with divorce papers, how long before you graduate, who's paying your tuition and if it's your husband, did he also cut you off from that.  Much more information is needed before you can be advised of your rights- and responsibilities.