Mediation Attorney In Nassau County
Divorce and child custody cases, among other family law matters, can lead to time-consuming and expensive litigation. However, you may not have to take this route. There are a number of ways to resolve family law issues — several of which do not involve arguing in court.
When parties to a divorce or another legal dispute are willing to respectfully discuss resolutions together, they are often able to save time, money and emotional resources. With experienced lawyers to guide them, many families in New York can benefit from approaches like mediation, arbitration and collaborative law.
People who use these alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods are often able to resolve their differences without contentious litigation. I have focused my practice on family law for over 40 years, and while I am a Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist* by The National Board of Trial Advocacy, I have helped many individuals and families solve their problems outside of court.
Is ADR Right For You?
The ability to use ADR depends upon a number of factors, perhaps the most important being each party’s willingness to be reasonable and not to seek to hurt the other party. Of course, considering the emotional turmoil of divorce and other family law disputes, this isn’t always easy.
Mediation: In mediation, the parties agree to meet with a neutral individual and attempt to work out their differences. The mediator does not have the authority to make decisions. Rather, the mediator’s job is to help the parties reach agreements through discussions and negotiations.
Mediators do not have an obligation to advise parties of their rights and obligations, so it can be wise for each party to consult with separate counsel, if not have separate representation throughout the process.
I both act as a mediator and represent clients during the mediation process as a mediation attorney. I cannot, however, serve as both your mediator and attorney at the same time.
Arbitration: In arbitration, the parties agree to have an arbitrator decide the case. Your arbitrator may be an individual or a panel provided by an arbitration agency or even the court system. The arbitrator acts similarly to a judge, reviewing evidence and hearing statements from each party.
Collaborative law: The final alternative is the collaborative law process, where the parties and their attorneys agree to attempt to resolve all issues and negotiate a settlement. If they cannot work everything out without litigation, new attorneys must be retained.
Schedule A Consultation
To discuss whether an ADR approach may be a suitable option for you, please call 516-441-7432 or contact me online. I represent clients and offer mediation services in Queens County, Nassau County, Suffolk County and the surrounding areas.
*The National Board of Trial Advocacy is not affiliated with any governmental authority. Certification is not a requirement for the practice of law in the State of New York and does not necessarily indicate greater competence than other attorneys experienced in this field of law.
