UPDATE: Starting June 1, 2023, APS will no longer be able to do the DIVORCE IN PERSON. This means, APS will not be able to personally travel to the Court (to file your divorce papers) or meet up with you in person. Because the New York State Supreme Court "PREFERRED METHOD" (Post-COVID) for filing a divorce is now via E-FILE, APS has converted our entire divorce system to only do DIVORCE VIA E-FILE.
As the Court modifies its procedure, APS has to do the same, in order to provide you with the Best Divorce Experience you can receive!
What is a DIVORCE IN PERSON?
A DIVORCE IN PERSON, is when Anderson Paralegal Services (APS) will personally go to the Court and file your divorce papers with the County Clerk's Department (or Matrimonial Department).
In addition, it also means we can schedule a day and time to meet up in person (if you like) and the meeting will be between 5 - 10 minutes OR we do not have to meet up and you can mail the signed document(s) (i.e. SUMMONS WITH NOTICE) to APS.
When the signed SUMMONS WITH NOTICE has been received, APS will travel to the Court and file the document along with the Court's filing fee of $210 for the Index Number. The SUMMONS WITH NOTICE will be filed in Court the same day we meet up (or the next business day).
As APS is processing your divorce, you will have some documents to sign before a notary (as required by the Court to do), and if we are meeting up, no worries APS got you covered with the notary requirement. Because Anderson Paralegal Services Inc is a NYS Notary, this service will be included in the meeting free of charge.
OUR MEETING REQUIRING ONLY 5 - 10 MINUTES:
Because APS has been processing New York Uncontested Divorces for over 15 years, you can say we have "mastered" the divorce process from the beginning to the end. We have created a divorce system that works very efficiently and gets results!
This explains why, if we are meeting up, the appointment will only require between 5 - 10 minutes of your time, so you can continue to enjoy your day. For example, if we are meeting on your lunch break, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your lunch!
Here at APS, it is all about CONVENIENCE. There is no need to travel and have to "go out of your way" to obtain reliable and accurate service when the "reliable and accurate" service can travel to you!
Plus, meet you at a location that is CONVENIENT for you (i.e. your Office, Starbucks, Library you name it, and APS will be there!!).
If you can meet APS at the Court, that would be great because you will be able to observe APS in action, with an end result consisting of your document(s) being reviewed by the clerk, stamped and FILED!
Note: If APS is traveling to you, it has to be within "reasonable distance".
The only COUNTIES APS handles in person are NYC (all 5 boroughs), WESTCHESTER, ROCKLAND, NASSAU, and SUFFOLK County. APS charges a "travel fee" to Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk Courts. There is no travel fee within NYC.
If you do live in Westchester County for example and want to avoid paying the "travel fee" then...
- APS can mail the completed papers to you and you will be responsible to file the papers in Court. No worries rest assured, APS will guide you along the way making this step very EASY & SIMPLE to do!
OR
YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF NYC:
If you (or your spouse) do not live in any of the Counties listed above, for example you live in DUTCHESS COUNTY, the only way APS can take your case is if you do a DIVORCE VIA E-FILE, as explained here.
PAYING APS FEE:
If we are meeting up in person, you can pay APS Fee with CASH, MONEY ORDER or with your DEBIT/CREDIT CARD.
Note: If you pay with your card, the payment will be slightly higher to cover the 'service fee' for the transaction.
PAYING THE COURT FEES:
If we are meeting up in person, you can pay the COURT FEES (i.e. $210 for the Index Number) with CASH, MONEY ORDER or with your DEBIT/CREDIT CARD.
Note: If you're paying the Court fee with your Debit/Credit Card, then you have to meet APS at the Court to give your card to the County Clerk.
If we are NOT meeting up and you're going to mail the document(s) and Court fees (i.e. $210 for the Index Number) to APS, you have to provide a USPS Money Order payable to the County Clerk. No worries, APS will assist you with the completion of the USPS Money Order.
EXPEDITED DIVORCE: If you want to "expedite" the DIVORCE IN PERSON, click here for more information.
Again, as of now, the Courts are gradually reopening access and services to their departments which means, APS can now return back to any of the Courts (listed above) in-person to file your divorce.
A WONDERFUL NOTE (to keep in mind): When your divorce is finalized by the Court and if you want to be able to print out a copy of your Divorce Decree (signed by the Judge), from your computer, and can do it from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have access to a computer, then you have to get a DIVORCE VIA E-FILE.
If you get a DIVORCE IN PERSON, then the only way you can obtain a copy of your signed Divorce Decree is that you will have to travel to the Court (or APS can do it for you for a small fee) and the County Clerk will give you a copy. You will NOT be able to print out a copy from your computer, unless you do a DIVORCE VIA E-FILE.