NYC Divorce Mediators
Contents
Divorce Mediation: An Amicable Way to End Your Relationship
Couples who are considering a divorce will often turn to divorce mediation as an effective way to amicably bring their relationship to an end. Engaging in this process allows them the chance to settle any outstanding disputes or issues that can frequently arise during a divorce, but they can do so in a somewhat more relaxed and less stressful setting than a courtroom. And in our experience at the Spodek Law Firm, mediation often proves to be a very effective method for overcoming such differences.
How Does Mediation Work?
While it is true that most mediations are not directly managed by the courts, it is nevertheless a legal process. This in turn means that the assistance you can get from a professional in divorce and matrimonial law can be of tremendous benefit to you in your divorce case. In the end, a court will have to review the papers and any agreements the two parties may have come to, signing off on the final divorce judgment.
Mediation offers both spouses a formal structure in which any tensions and animosity can be reduced while the settlement is being discussed. Keep in mind that the mediator does not serve as a referee or judge during the mediation and does not have the power or authority to make decisions for either party in the divorce when it comes to important matters. Their role is to serve as an impartial, neutral party who can offer their knowledge and opinions in a way that will help the divorcing couple reach a compromise they can both accept.
Choosing a Mediator
While it is true that divorce mediators can have diverse backgrounds and training, some will be more effective than others. Any divorce – regardless of circumstances – is going to be uncomfortable and perhaps even acrimonious. When choosing a mediator, it is important to select someone who will not only help the couple keep their tempers under control, but also someone that both can trust to help them arrive at a fair and equitable settlement.
Often, your best choice for a mediator is a lawyer experienced in divorce law. Divorce lawyers who focus on divorce mediation will be well aware of what it takes to help resolve family and matrimonial disputes, whether the process involves mediation, litigation, or other approaches. When it comes to divorce mediation, a divorce lawyer is the only professional who will have spent years studying the law, earning a juris doctorate and passing the state bar exam.
You Will Need a Lawyer Regardless
When deciding whether you want to have a divorce lawyer serve as your mediator, you should consider the fact that you are going to need legal advice from an experienced divorce lawyer in any case. This lawyer will have to work up a draft of your settlement agreement, which means if a lawyer serves as your mediator it can save time and effort at a later point in the process.
On the other hand, it is also true that even should you choose a divorce lawyer as your mediator and that lawyer creates the divorce agreement, there is a good chance he or she will advise you to engage a second attorney to review the terms of the agreement. The reason for this is that the mediator’s principal responsibility was to mediate, not to provide you – or your spouse – with legal advice.
Although mediation can offer a useful way of avoiding excessive litigation during a divorce, this does not imply that you can avoid engaging legal professionals. There are any number of complex legal issues that must be contained in any divorce agreement. This is why having a divorce lawyer serve as mediator can help reduce the problems that may have to be later corrected by the attorney reviewing the divorce agreement.
Communication is Key
Communication is one of the most important things to consider when you are selecting a divorce mediator. You have to be able to comfortably interact with the professional you have chosen. The lawyers at the Spodek Law Firm have a vast amount of experience working with clients and mediating disputes in a way that helps lead to agreements that both parties can live with. If you have any further questions on this topic or any other divorce concerns, please feel free to contact us for a consultation. Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help you with your case.