Experienced New York City Domestic Violence Divorce Attorney - Domestic Violence Divorce Lawyer
Domestic violence is a painful reality that affects far too many families. Statistics show that about one in three women and one in four men will suffer some form of spousal abuse, such as stalking, rape, or physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Abuse doesn’t always leave physical marks. It can also take the form of threats, degrading words, or controlling behavior that wears down your sense of safety and self-worth.
If you’re considering filing for divorce from an abusive spouse, it is critical to get help. At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our New York City domestic violence divorce attorneys can advise and guide you toward security and, ultimately, a better life. We have the experience and dedication to help those impacted by domestic violence break free from the emotional and physical abuse of their partners. We also provide help to those facing false accusations of domestic violence, because every person deserves fairness in these difficult situations.
To schedule a free consultation with New York City divorce lawyer Ryan Besinque, call (929) 251-4477.
Domestic violence is not limited to physical harm; it encompasses mental, verbal, and emotional mistreatment as well. Non-physical abuse can often lead to physical violence and, in severe cases, murder. While women are predominantly victims of domestic violence, including severe forms, men can also suffer abuse in both same-sex and opposite-sex relationships.
Recognizing an abusive or violent relationship is essential to breaking free from it. Forms of domestic violence and abuse include intimidation, where the partner uses threats such as leaving, committing suicide, or causing harm to manipulate the victim. Economic abuse can involve preventing the victim from earning money or forcing them to ask for an allowance. Sexual abuse involves treating the victim as a sex object or coercing them into performing sexual acts against their will. Emotional abuse can result in low self-esteem, humiliation, guilt, and feelings of insanity.
Abusers may attempt to control the victim by isolating them from friends and dictating who they can interact with. They can also intimidate the victim by implying physical violence through words or actions, such as destroying their property. Moreover, abusers often downplay their actions, deny the abuse, or blame the victim for causing it.
The psychological aspect of domestic abuse often leads victims to think they need to change themselves, even though the problem lies with their partner.
If you are in need of a domestic violence divorce attorney in NYC, look no further than The Law Office of Ryan Besinque. Our attorneys have the knowledge and skill necessary to handle a wide range of family law issues, including divorce, child custody, and child support. We understand the importance of protecting your rights and will work tirelessly to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Ryan Besinque, Esq., is a compassionate and experienced divorce attorney in New York City who focuses on cases involving domestic violence and family law. He understands the emotional and financial challenges that accompany divorce and strives to reduce conflict whenever possible through communication and collaboration. However, when circumstances demand a stronger stance, especially in sensitive domestic violence cases, Mr. Besinque does not hesitate to employ aggressive strategies to secure the best results for his clients.
Licensed in both New York and California, Ryan has represented hundreds of clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Westchester, and Nassau County. His approach blends meticulous preparation, constant availability, and genuine care for his clients’ well-being. In addition to his private practice, he also serves on the Manhattan Assigned Counsel Panel, providing quality representation to indigent individuals facing family offense and domestic violence cases.
Having a divorce from an abusive spouse can be particularly dangerous and have its own unique concerns. In New York, both the criminal court and civil court take matters of domestic violence seriously. But first, you must seek shelter and be legally protected.
If you are an abused spouse, your first priority is getting to physical safety. There are many women’s shelters located throughout the city. These shelters allow you to find a temporary safe haven if you feel you are in physical danger.
In New York City, you can call 311 or the New York City Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 621-HOPE to get access to a shelter. The city also maintains a website for domestic violence support with important resources for those who find themselves victimized by domestic violence.
After getting to a secure location, obtaining an order of protection is the next critical move. This provides you with a measure of legal security while you and your NYC divorce lawyer work toward a more permanent solution.
An order of protection, sometimes referred to as a restraining order, can be issued by both a criminal court and a civil court. It can legally require your spouse to stay away from you and your child at home, school, or work and can even prohibit all types of contact. A violation of an order of protection has serious legal consequences.
If you are seeking a divorce from an abusive spouse, it is important to speak with a knowledgeable domestic violence divorce attorney. A skilled attorney can help you seek protection as well as guide you through the divorce process. At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our team of New York City domestic violence divorce attorneys has the knowledge of family law and divorce necessary to help you with your case.
Contact us at (929) 251-4477 to schedule a consultation.
It is very important to call the police to help you remove an abuser from your house. After this is done, a family law attorney can assist you in obtaining a temporary order of protection from the court. Protection orders will legally restrain the abuser and prohibit them from coming into your home or interacting with your family.
Temporary orders of protection usually last until the next court date. The court may extend the protection order from one court date to the next court date in order to ensure that the victim remains protected. On the other hand, final orders of protection can last anywhere from one to five years depending on the facts of each case and whether there is any physical injury or threat.
Any person who violates orders of protection may be charged with serious criminal offenses. A skilled divorce attorney may be able to assist with filing a temporary order of protection in the Family Court.
At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our team of New York City domestic violence divorce attorneys can help you seek a temporary order of protection from an abusive partner. If you are seeking a divorce, we can also assist you with the process. We understand the complexities involved in family law and divorce, especially in situations where domestic abuse is present.
Call us at (929) 251-4477 to schedule a consultation.
Domestic violence in a family is not only physical in nature. It can also include emotional, verbal, and mental abuse. In many cases, verbal and mental abuse often escalates to physical violence. Domestic violence can include:
Physical abuse and assault
Sexual abuse and rape
Threats
Emotional and psychological abuse
Humiliation and degrading verbal abuse
Isolating from friends and family
Economic abuse
Blaming the victim for the abuse
While domestic abuse and violence primarily affect women, men can also be victims. Same-sex married couples may also be affected by this kind of abuse.
Unfortunately, many people in abusive marriages in New York have been conditioned to believe that they are the cause of their partner’s abusive behavior toward them or their child. It is critical for those who live in abusive relationships to get the assistance of a skilled New York family law attorney to help remove themselves from the abusive situation.
If you or your child is in an abusive and violent marriage and you need help going through the legal process of divorce, you will need the assistance of a skilled family law lawyer. New York City domestic violence divorce attorney Ryan Besinque and his experienced team at The Law Office of Ryan Besinque can provide you with all the legal services that you may require for your case to succeed in court.
To schedule a free consultation with a family law lawyer in New York, contact us at (929) 251-4477.
In the state of New York, you must have grounds for a divorce unless you both mutually agree to a no-fault divorce. Domestic violence will usually fall under the ground of cruel and inhumane treatment.
Under Domestic Relations Law § 170, “Conduct which endangers either physical or mental well-being may constitute cruel and inhuman treatment, provided that it makes it unsafe or improper to continue to live together.” This can include either physical or mental cruelty. Behaviors that can be considered cruel and inhuman treatment can include:
Physical assault
Verbal abuse
Verbal intimidation
Mental cruelty
Forced sex or rape
Threatening their child
The court will need to determine that these acts were consistent and not isolated. Supporting evidence is needed to prove to the court that there was a danger to the health and safety of the petitioning spouse before granting cruel and inhuman treatment as an appropriate ground.
At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, domestic violence divorce attorney Ryan Besinque and our New York City family attorneys can provide victims with legal support, help them understand if their situation falls under this ground for divorce, and how to prove their case to the court.
If you suffer from abuse in your marriage and would want to divorce your spouse, contact us to schedule a free consultation at (929) 251-4477.
When New York courts decide custody in a divorce, the priority is always the safety and well-being of the children. If domestic violence is part of the case, it becomes an important factor in determining custody arrangements. Judges are required by law to consider any history of abuse when making decisions about parenting time and responsibility.
If the abusive parent poses a risk to the children, the court may limit or restrict visitation. In some cases, visitation may only be allowed under supervision. In more serious situations, the court can deny visitation entirely if being around the abusive parent would endanger the child. Often, custody may be granted fully to the non-abusive parent to provide a stable and safe home environment.
Even when the abuse was directed at the other parent and not the children, the court recognizes that children are still affected. Witnessing violence, or even just living in a household where abuse occurs, can cause emotional harm and long-lasting trauma. Because of this, judges consider both the direct and indirect effects of domestic violence before issuing a custody order.
The court’s role is to protect the children from harm while promoting their overall stability and well-being. This means giving careful weight to any history of violence and shaping custody orders that keep children safe, both physically and emotionally.
| Custody/Visitation Decision | When It Applies | Impact on Parent-Child Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised visitation | Risk of harm exists but continued contact may help the child | Visits only under supervision of an approved person or agency |
| Restricted visitation | Abuse raises concern but does not fully prohibit interaction | Visits may be shorter, less frequent, or limited in scope |
| No visitation | Contact would seriously endanger the child | Parent has no legal right to visitation |
While laws in New York are legitimately aggressive toward violent spouses, as a result of these strict laws, an individual can very easily be wrongly accused of domestic violence, particularly when it concerns a contentious divorce or child custody arrangement.
When a spouse is accused of domestic violence, it can have a serious impact on child custody, child support, spousal support, and even equitable asset distribution. Some spouses falsely accuse the other of domestic abuse to:
Obtain sole custody of the couple’s child
Prevent the other spouse from visitation rights or relocation
Personally discredit the other spouse
Get favored influence in spousal support, child support, or asset division decisions
Gain possession of the marital residence
Making a false claim of domestic violence in New York is unlawful. At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our skilled New York City domestic violence divorce attorneys work diligently to protect your interests if you have been wrongly accused of domestic abuse by your spouse. Contact us today to speak with a skilled attorney about your case.
While any divorce is a sensitive matter and can be fraught with difficulties, ones that involve domestic violence can be particularly serious. For a victim of domestic abuse, filing for divorce can carry its own dangers and concerns. Getting the advice and guidance of New York family lawyer Ryan Besinque and the experienced NYC domestic violence divorce attorneys at The Law Office of Ryan Besinque helps ensure that all measures are taken to protect you and your family while you remove yourself from the abusive situation.
When going through a divorce from an abusive spouse, your attorney will act as your important ally and intermediary to help preserve your security and your legal rights. This will limit your interaction and help ensure that all matters and evidence are documented appropriately. At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our team provides trustworthy, confidential, and compassionate guidance for individuals seeking a divorce from a violent spouse.
Contact us at (929) 251-4477 or online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney.