New York Family Dispute Attorney

Helping You Achieve a Mediated Divorce on Staten Island

We offer our clients the possibility of resolving divorce issues without getting lawyers involved. That’s one of the reasons we provide divorce mediation services at our family law office in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York.

What is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation basically means bringing the parties together to discuss how they will settle their divorce. Who will stay in the house, or should the house be sold? What kind of parenting plan will meet the family’s needs? Will spousal maintenance be paid — and if so, how much and for how long? What assets need to be distributed? What debt is there? What pension and retirement assets are there?

During mediation, while we are lawyers, we are not advocates for either side when we serve as mediators. Rather, we collect information, explain the intricacies of the law and what items must be addressed and contained in a divorce agreement.

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution. It is not binding on either party, until an agreement is agreed upon and signed. If you are not able to reach an agreement through mediation, you and your spouse can hire lawyers and proceed to seek a divorce through litigation. You can always have an attorney review the mediation agreement or consult with an attorney during the mediation process.

What Are the Advantages of Mediation?

Sometimes the atmosphere of litigation is a win or lose mentality which can encourage clients to dig their heels into a position. However, when both sides dig in, the only parties who benefit are the attorneys. Couples who fight over martial property can end up spending much more than the assets are worth in legal fees. Couples who involve their children in a child custody and visitation dispute often end up alienating and damaging the children they sought to protect.

In most of the mediation cases that we handle, the two parties come to me before either side has hired a lawyer. However, both parties must be willing to enter into mediation. You can also participate in mediation after you have hired an attorney. If we are able to work out a mediation agreement, your lawyer can review the agreement and suggest any required changes.

To schedule an attorney consultation to discuss divorce mediation: Call 718-213-4746 or fill out the contact form on this Web site.