The First Priority Is Always The Lawyers' Bank Accounts

Divorce lawyers have reason to celebrate New York's legalization of gay marriage, too
The New York Daily News by Lukas I. Alpert  -  June 27, 2011

Same-sex couples aren't the only ones rejoicing over New York's legalization of gay marriage - divorce lawyers are also breaking out the champagne.  More marriages will ultimately mean more divorces - and in the short-term more prenuptial contracts to draw up, experts say. "We are certainly going to see a significant increase in business over the next decade," said Manhattan attorney Alton Abramowitz, who is also vice president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  While he says a spike in divorce cases isn't likely to emerge for at least five years, a surge of couples seeking prenups is certain to come knocking on lawyers' doors.  "We will probably see a big increase in business right away with prenups," he said. "A lot of gay and lesbian couples have waited a long time and are older and have therefore accumulated greater levels of wealth."  The final passage late Friday of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York is expected to be a boon for many industries that serve brides and grooms.  But while florists, cake-makers and wedding dress stores cater to visions of happily ever after, divorce attorneys are preparing for the dark side of marriage to emerge down the road.  "The real impact for us will come over the next decade," Abramowitz said. "Probably not over the first five years but after that. Marriages tend to begin experiencing stress after five to seven years."  He said divorce lawyers in states that have already legalized gay marriage have yet to see a spate of splits simply because the change has happened too recently.  As the city clerk's office prepares for a big influx of couples eager to wed, Abramowitz says many will be paying a visit to their lawyers' offices first.  Overall, he says the market for prenuptial agreements has grown dramatically in New York. "This has been a growth area with hetero couples for many of the same reasons," he said. "There has been huge wealth accumulated in New York due to Wall Street, and people are getting married later in life so they've had more time to earn."  lalpert@nydailynews.com