Stancil v. Stancil

OPINION OF THE COURT

Matthew F. Cooper, J.

New York, like all other states, has residency requirements for parties seeking to commence a divorce. These requirements exist to ensure that plaintiffs cannot simply choose the state with the most beneficial laws, move to that state and immediately file suit. Specifically, New York mandates that either the plaintiff or the defendant in a matrimonial action live in this state continuously for two years, or continuously for one year if certain other conditions are present. One such condition is if “[t]he cause occurred in the state.” (Domestic…