Michael E. Underwood

Thank you for considering my firm for your divorce or family law matter. I know the system and how to save you both time and money on your divorce.

Please contact me by phone or by email to schedule a free consultation.

I enjoy helping people transition in a difficult part of their lives. On average, I help about 100 people (per year) get divorced.

The fastest divorce I have done was about 30 days but (on average), a divorce takes between 60-90 days.

I have a proven track record of success, sound judgment and discretion.

As for our firm, we are conveniently located 7 minutes east of downtown Syracuse in Fayetteville, New York on Lyndon Golf Course in the White House.

We proudly offer free parking and complimentary beverages at your appointment. In addition, night and weekend hours are available!

Western Michigan University Cooley Law School

J.D. | Litigation

2000 - 2003

Activities: Moot Court Judge

Lynchburg College

B.A. | Speech Comm.

1996 - 2000

Honors: Deans List Community Service Award

Activities: President Phi Delta Theta NCAA Division III Men's Soccer

Arbitrator

Syracuse City Court (NY)

2023 - Current

Arbitrator (decision maker) for civil matters in Syracuse City Court

Managing Attorney

Underwood Law Firm PC

2010 - Current

Focus on Divorce & Family Law only

Associate

Colman & Underwood

2005 - 2010

Divorce, Family Law, real estate, estate planning

Intern

Onondaga County District Attorneys Office

2001 - 2001

How to Save Time and Money on Your Divorce

cnydivorce.com

September 5, 2016

Parents Rights and Co-parenting tips and strategies, Headstart, 215 Bassett Street, Syracuse, NY

March 1, 2023

Peace, Inc.

Co-parenting tips and strategies

NY Attorney

New York Bar Association

Notary Public

NY

Real Estate Broker

NY

Top 100 Lawyer by The American Society of Legal Advocates

American Society of Legal Advocates

2018

Top 10 Family Law Attorneys by American Jurist Institute

American Jurist Institute

2017

"10 Best" Attorneys in New York

American Institue of Family Law Attorneys

2016

“10 Best” Attorneys in New York by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (2016)

Top 100 Lawyers

The National Advocates

2016

New York State Bar  # 4289765

Member

2005 - Current

Northern District of New York

Attorney - Federal Court

2005 - Current

New York

Since 2005

Federal Circuit

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, Venmo & PayPal Payment Plans through "Affirm"
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Divorce & Family Law Matters are billed per hour with an initial retainer payment. Contact me today for a free consultation!

• Equitable Distribution
• Spousal Maintenance
• Qualified Domestic Relations Order

Q. In the case of an emotional abusive vulnerable narcissist wife of 30 years, will I have to pay her alimony?

July 20, 2023

A: **I am a New York Attorney - so my answer only applies to laws in New York.

New York is a "no fault" state. As such, absent "shocking the conscious" claims, maintenance is determined by parties' income and a percentage of length of marriage. In other words, most of the times it is irrelevant if someone is not a "good" spouse and they are still entitled to some maintenance. It is a math formula to determine the amount and the duration is a percentage of the years of marriage.

If the party is unemployed, their income is usually imputed to minimum wage to ~$29,500. If the party is under employed and they have an education and training level to make a significantly higher income, sometimes you a need a "vocational assessment" which is an expert meet with them and determine their earning capability in the area you reside and based on their education and training level. ... Read More

Q. My husband has supported me for 2 years as I started my business w/no salary. Will he support me until I can?

September 16, 2016

A: Maybe. NY divorce matters have a calculation for spousal maintenance so if there is a large difference in income between you and your spouse you may be eligible for spousal maintenance and counsel fees during your divorce matter. The duration of spousal maintenance is between 15%-30% the years of marriage (not the years of living together). Child support is until your child is 21 or emancipated (18 and in the military or married, etc.)

Q. I live in New York and my husband lives in Montana. What state do we file for divorce in?

September 16, 2016

A: Maybe either state. Not sure about Montana's laws but for NY in order to get divorced in NY:

The residency requirements for a NY divorce are:

1. The parties were married in New York, and either party lived in New York for one year prior to filing. DRL 230(1)

2. The parties resided in New York as husband and wife, and either party lived in New York for one year or more prior to filing. DRL 230(2).

3. The cause of action occurred in New York, and either party lived in New York for one year or more prior to filing. DRL 230(3).

4. The cause of action occurred in New York, and both parties live in New York at the time of filing. DRL 230(4).

5. Either party has lived in New York for two years or more prior to filing. DRL 230(5). ... Read More