ASJ Law Office Articles
New Year, New Clarity: Making Marriage Decisions in December
By: Asia Scarlett-Jones Published on: 12/22/2025December is a month of reflection. As holiday lights twinkle and another year draws to close, many of us take stock of our lives, our careers, our health, our relationships. And for some, that reflection leads to a difficult question: "Should I stay married?" If you're reading this, you might be one of the thousands of people who finds themselves at this crossroads as the New Year approaches. You're not alone, and more importantly, you have more options than you might realize.
Moved Out? Why You Still Need a Legal Separation Agreement
By: Asia Scarlett-Jones Published on: 12/15/2025You've made the difficult decision to separate from your spouse. Maybe you've already moved out, or you're planning to soon. You're living in separate households, managing separate lives, and in your mind, you're already "separated." But here's the hard truth: in the eyes of the law, you're still married. And that can have serious and expensive consequences. The Myth of "We're Just Separated"
Legal Separation in New York: Your Complete Guide
By: Asia Scarlett-Jones Published on: 12/12/2025When your marriage is struggling, the word "divorce" can feel harsh, final, and overwhelming. But what if there was a middle ground? Legal separation offers couples in New York a structured way to live apart while remaining married and it might be exactly what you need. Understanding Legal Separation vs. Divorce Let's clear up the confusion right away. Legal separation and divorce both involve court-approved agreements about custody, finances, and property. The critical difference is that with legal separation, you remain legally married. You can't remarry, you're still each other's next of kin, and in many cases, you can remain on shared health insurance. With divorce, your marriage is legally dissolved. You're free to remarry, all legal ties are severed, and you'll need to make separate arrangements for health insurance and other benefits.
Know Your Options: Why Divorce Isn't Always the First Step
By: Asia Scarlett-Jones Published on: 12/12/2025As we approach the New Year, many couples find themselves at a crossroads. The phrase "New Year, New Me" often extends to evaluating all aspects of life, including marriage. If you're questioning whether divorce is your next step, you're not alone. But here's what many people don't realize: divorce isn't always the only option, or even the best one. The Problem Most Couples Face When a marriage hits a rough patch, many people assume the next logical step is filing for divorce. It's what we see in movies, hear about from friends, and read about online. But the truth is, most people simply don't know what they don't know. At our firm, we see this all the time. Clients walk through our doors feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and convinced that divorce is their only path forward. They're often surprised to learn about legal separation a viable alternative that provides structure, protection, and time to figure things out. But here’s the thing: ignoring these important conversations doesn’t make them go away. It just means you’re navigating life without a roadmap. And nowhere is this more true than in your marriage. Enter the Post-Nuptial Agreement A post-nuptial agreement (or “post-nup”) is simply a legal document created after you’re married that outlines how assets, debts, and financial responsibilities would be handled if your marriage ends – whether through divorce or separation. Think of it as a financial blueprint for your marriage, created by you and your spouse, not by the state. The truth? None of those definitions capture what a prenup really means.
