Iranian & Farsi-Speaking Attorney Serving Nassau County and Great Neck — وکیل ایرانی نساو کانتی

Where Nassau County Divorce Cases Are Filed

Divorce actions for Nassau County residents are filed in Nassau County Supreme Court, located at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola. All contested and uncontested divorces, equitable distribution claims, and ancillary matrimonial relief are heard in Supreme Court. Custody, child support, spousal support enforcement, and family offense (orders of protection) matters are heard in Nassau County Family Court at 1200 Old Country Road in Westbury.

Nassau County Supreme Court operates differently from New York County (Manhattan) Supreme Court in several practical respects. The assignment of cases to specific judicial parts, the local rules governing disclosure and motion practice, the scheduling of conferences, and the availability of court-annexed mediation programs all differ between counties. Yazdi Law files and appears in Nassau County courts regularly and is familiar with the procedural expectations and local practices that affect case management and timing. For an overview of how divorce timelines work across New York, see our post on how long divorce takes in New York.

Divorce Issues That Recur in Iranian-American Families

Mahr / mehrieh (مهریه): The mahr provision in the Iranian marriage contract is one of the most frequently litigated issues when an Iranian-American couple divorces in New York. New York courts have addressed mahr in several reported decisions, but the analysis varies depending on whether the court treats the obligation as a prenuptial agreement subject to DRL § 236(B), a religious obligation, or a contractual commitment enforceable on its own terms. The enforceability of mahr depends on the specific language of the contract, the circumstances of the marriage, and the equitable distribution analysis in the case. This issue is covered in detail in our dedicated post on mahr and mehrieh in New York divorce.

Marriages performed in Iran: New York generally recognizes marriages performed in foreign countries if they were valid under the law of the jurisdiction where performed. However, documenting an Iranian marriage for a New York divorce proceeding presents practical challenges. The marriage certificate must be authenticated — a process complicated by the absence of a U.S. embassy in Iran and Iran’s non-participation in the Hague Apostille Convention. Certified English translations are required for all documents filed with the court.

Assets and property located abroad: Equitable distribution in New York applies to all marital property regardless of where it is located, including real estate, bank accounts, and business interests in Iran or other countries. Identifying, valuing, and dividing foreign assets presents challenges — particularly where the assets are in a jurisdiction with limited financial transparency or where the other spouse controls access to documentation. Sanctions-related restrictions on financial transactions involving Iran add further complexity.

Divorce intersecting with immigration: When a client’s immigration status depends on the marriage, the divorce and immigration cases must be coordinated carefully. A spouse with conditional permanent residence based on a marriage less than two years old may need to file an I-751 waiver with a divorce waiver rather than a joint petition. A spouse who experienced domestic violence may qualify for protection under VAWA (the Violence Against Women Act), which provides an independent path to permanent residence. The timing of the divorce filing relative to the immigration filing is critical in both scenarios.

Cultural and family-privacy considerations: Divorce carries particular weight in many Iranian-American families, and clients often have strong preferences about how the matter is handled — including a preference for uncontested divorce where possible, concern about the visibility of court filings, and the involvement of extended family in settlement discussions. These considerations are not legal issues, but they affect how the case is managed, and an attorney who understands them can better serve the client’s overall interests. The firm also handles contested divorces, custody and parenting time, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for Nassau County clients.

Great Neck and the surrounding North Shore communities have an active residential real estate market, with a significant share of transactions involving Persian-American families who are buying, selling, or transferring property within the community. Yazdi Law handles residential closings for Nassau County buyers and sellers, including contract review and negotiation, title and due diligence, and closing representation. Bilingual Farsi representation ensures that contract terms, financing conditions, and closing documents are understood clearly — particularly important in a transaction where the earnest money deposit alone is typically 10% of the purchase price.

Nassau County’s tax and recording structure differs from New York City in ways that affect closing costs. The NYC Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) does not apply in Nassau County, which can save sellers tens of thousands of dollars compared to a sale at the same price in the five boroughs. The NY State transfer tax (0.4%) and mansion tax on purchases of $1 million or more apply statewide, including in Nassau. Recording of deeds and mortgages is handled through the Nassau County Clerk’s office rather than NYC’s ACRIS system. Property taxes in Nassau County are assessed at the county level, with school district taxes typically representing the largest component. The assessment grievance process through the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission (ARC) is a routine part of property ownership.

For more on the firm’s real estate practice, including residential closings, landlord-tenant matters, and commercial transactions, see the real estate practice page.

Yazdi Law represents clients in Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Kings Point, Sands Point, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Roslyn Heights, Jericho, Syosset, Woodbury, Old Westbury, Garden City, Mineola, Westbury, Hicksville, and surrounding Nassau County communities. The firm also serves clients in Suffolk County, Westchester County, and all five New York City boroughs. For immigration matters, the firm represents clients nationwide.