Are married couples considered the same entity in NY?

Answer 1

No. According to ancient common law, a husband and wife were one entity and that entity was the husband. A wife had no separate legal status or existence. In the United States and other Western cultures, that ancient legal doctrine has been relegated to the dust heap. A woman has her own legal existence under the law. A husband can no longer sell or encumber the jointly owned property by his personal debts, no longer has control over his wife's property and inheritance and any contract requires the signature of both parties.

See related link for tenancy by the entirety- a form of ownership reserved for married couples.