iStockCoupleblondedigital-300x200For couples all across New York, and Long Island, divorce mediation services have emerged as a valuable, effective alternative to traditional litigation processes.

Although any divorce can be complicated to navigate, particularly when it involves complex decisions about parenting time, equitable distribution, and maintenance, I’ve found that divorce mediation can streamline the journey for many clients. It can reduce the need for individuals to regularly appear in court to argue their case, reduce the stress of the divorce experience, and even help to preserve positive relationships between partners going their separate ways.

In Jefferson County, New York, divorce mediation has long stood as an appealing option to many couples – yet the nature of traditional mediation processes, usually dependant on face-to-face, in-person interactions has limited the number of mediators clients could choose to work with in the past.

Now that family law attorneys and certified mediators like me can offer access to digital mediation sessions, hosted through platforms like Zoom, Jefferson County residents have more freedom than ever before. They can choose any mediator they want to work with – regardless of their location.

Here’s why you might consider choosing me as your virtual divorce mediator. Continue reading ›

Couplesofa-300x200The end of a marriage is difficult for any couple to navigate. Whether you’ve spent months or years with your partner, untangling your life, working out child custody, parenting time, child support, maintenance (alimony) and assets from theirs can be extremely complex. Often, the first step in streamlining the process, is choosing the right strategy.

For some couples, a traditional litigation procedure will be the most suitable option. For many residents of Oswego County, however, divorce mediation stands as a valuable alternative. While mediation doesn’t appeal to every couple, it can be extremely effective at minimizing the stress associated with the divorce journey, preserving amicable relationships, and accelerating results.

As both a family law attorney in New York, and a divorce mediator, I’ve seen for myself how successful mediation can be, which is why I recommend it to many of my clients. The main issue in the past, has been offering my services to Oswego County residents, located a significant distance from my office in Nassau County, Long Island. Continue reading ›

Mediationpic21Zoomwomanonescreenmaninoffice-300x200Divorce is always a complex process, but sometimes having a certain level of control over how you approach the journey can make it a lot simpler to manage. For some couples, traditional litigation procedures may be the best, and most effective way to sever the ties created by a marriage.

However, many Chautauqua County couples can also benefit from alternative dispute resolution methods, like mediation. For years, divorce mediation has stood as an attractive solution to couples that want to streamline the divorce process, and avoid unnecessary stress.

Used correctly, it can even help some couples maintain amicable relationships at the end of their marriage, which can be a priority for those with children. When suitable, I often recommend mediation as an option for my clients, though I continue to work as a litigation attorney too.

I’ve seen plenty of evidence, as a divorce mediation lawyer, that meditation can make divorce proceedings less stressful, and more convenient for clients. The biggest challenge many clients have faced in the past, however, has been finding the right mediator for their needs. Continue reading ›

Mediationpic12lawyersmanglassesblondewoman-300x200In the right circumstances, divorce mediation can be an excellent way for couples in Rensselaer County to come to terms about how they want to navigate the end of their marriage. While litigation is an extremely effective option, which can be necessary in certain circumstances, when alternative dispute resolution options aren’t appropriate, mediation offers numerous benefits.

As both a divorce mediator and family law attorney, Mr. Darren Shapiro frequently recommends divorce mediation as an option, highlighting the opportunity to reduce the stress involved in litigation proceedings, and sometimes accelerate the decision-making process.

In the right circumstances, mediation can be a more convenient, and less stressful way to bring an end to a marriage, and leave a partnership on the right terms. However, finding the ideal mediator hasn’t always been easy, as many Rensselaer County residents have been limited to choosing local professionals, regardless of whether they address their needs completely. Continue reading ›

Mediationpic24Zoomwomanonscreenmaninoffice-300x200Though the litigation process can be extremely effective, and sometime essential in certain cases, alternative dispute resolution methods have grown increasingly popular over the users. Divorce mediation, for instance, can offer couples a more comfortable way to make decisions at the end of their marriage, eliminating or reducing the time spent in court rooms, or presenting information to judges.

Though I’m both a family law attorney and divorce mediator, I frequently recommend divorce mediation to couples for various reasons. It can help reduce the stress involved in the divorce journey, and even allow individuals to preserve amicable relationships with their former partners.

However, though divorce mediation is now common in New York, Long Island, and throughout the US, finding the right mediator hasn’t always been simple. Many Schenectady County residents, for instance, have long been restricted to local mediators, because mediations were traditionally hosted face-to-face. Fortunately, this is starting to change.

Since the pandemic, my Law and Mediation Office has implemented new processes that allow mediators like me to offer virtual mediation options to Schenectady County residents, and couples all over New York. Here’s your guide to the benefits of virtual mediation. Continue reading ›

Maintenance-Fight-300x200Divorce mediation is one of the most popular forms of alternative dispute resolution, and a process I recommend considering for New Yorker’s contemplating dissolving their marriage. In an article referenced on Mediate.com it was stated that studies have shown that mediation can drive amicable resolutions in around 80% of cases. While I have not reviewed the stated studies I think it is fair to say that eighty percent or more of the couples that start mediation with me end up resolving the case and reaching a settlement.  I litigate and mediate and can honestly say that mediation is in almost all instances also less expensive, less stressful, and less complex than litigation.

In the past, usually, the way to access mediation services was to book face-to-face sessions with a professional. For the many clients who don’t want to have to drive long distances to find a mediator, this often limited their option on who they could work with.

However, all that has begun to change. Since the pandemic, the digital world, and the courts of New York, through e-filing, have begun supporting mediators like me with virtual options and digital filing. We can host sessions with residents of Broome County, or any other locations over channels like Zoom, and even e-file documents with the courts, to make the mediation process more convenient than ever. Continue reading ›

Lawyerlaptop-300x200Relationships can end for a variety of reasons, but even if the split is amicable, most couples want to part ways with a dispute resolution method that’s as painful and convenient as possible.

That’s one of the reasons why divorce mediation is so popular in New York and the rest of the country. It can offer a less stressful alternative to litigation, and can even save couples time and money when ending their marriage. However, while couples in Ulster County, New York, have had access to divorce mediation services for some time, their options for choosing the right divorce mediator have often been limited.

A focus on face-to-face mediation sessions over the years has prompted many people to choose local mediation services, even if they don’t adhere to their specific needs. Fortunately, virtual mediation is now an option, allowing mediators like me to conduct meetings with Ulster County couples through channels like Zoom, and e-file documents with the courts. Continue reading ›

ParentsKitchenChild-201x300Virtual Divorce Mediation Services in Niagara Country NY

For residents of Niagara County, New York, divorce mediation services have long offered a valuable alternative to traditional litigation. Although there are certainly situations in which litigation offers couples the best way to resolve their issues at the end of a marriage, mediation can sometimes offer a fast, cost-effective way to avoid unnecessary stress.

However, the success of any mediation strategy does depend on a couple’s ability to choose the right mediator to help them navigate the divorce process. Unfortunately, in the past, many couples have been restricted to choosing local mediators, to avoid the need for long and expensive commutes.

Now, however, the courts and video conferencing platforms of New York support mediators like me in offering virtual mediation services. This means I can offer my services to clients throughout Long Island and the entire state of New York, with the help of a conferencing platform like Zoom.

If you believe an alternative dispute resolution method like mediation might be right for you, here are some reasons why you might consider working with me on your case. Continue reading ›

Coupledisputebacktoback-300x205Oneida County virtual divorce mediation services give couples a flexible way to explore a popular method of alternative dispute resolution when it comes to ending their marriage or partnership. Over the years, I’ve seen mediation emerge as a valuable solution for many couples who want to streamline the complex divorce process, and reduce their exposure to stress.

While there are instances where a litigation process navigated with the help of a divorce lawyer or family law attorney like me will be the only suitable option for certain couples, mediation appeals to a wide range of clients. Unfortunately, finding the right divorce mediator for your needs can be complex, particularly if you’re limited to experts in your local region.

That’s why virtual divorce mediation services are becoming so valuable. They allow mediators like me to offer comprehensive, personalized services to clients through virtual conferencing tools like Zoom, ensuring anyone can participate in mediation sessions from the comfort of their own home, wherever they are, provided New York would have jurisdiction.

If you’re looking for virtual divorce mediation services offered by a friendly professional with legal experience, here’s why you might consider working with me.

Comprehensive Support from a New York Local

Although divorce mediation can offer a more straightforward alternative to litigation when navigating the divorce process, it requires a careful, strategic approach. Choosing a mediator familiar with how things happen in New York state court rooms (since I am also a litigator), and Long Island, can be an excellent way to reduce the risk of disruptions and challenges throughout the process.

Though I live in Suffolk County, I am a native resident of New York and Long Island, and have spent years exploring many counties and boroughs, both as a tourist and a legal professional.  My office is located in Nassau County, New York.

Oneida County, named in honor of the Oneida people, is home to the Adirondack Railroad and Delta Lake State park.

Mediation clients may struggle to make the journey to my office for regular mediation sessions from Oneida County. Fortunately, the evolution of digital technologies like Zoom, and the ability professionals have nowadays to e-file documents with the courts is improving accessibility to divorce and mediation services.

Today, I can easily and safely offer convenient divorce mediation sessions to clients all over Long Island and New York, from Suffolk County, to Oneida County, offering each couple the same level of expertise, support, and convenience. Continue reading ›

Mediationpic20Zoomwomanmandonscreenintie-300x200Just as there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all marriage, there’s no single process for navigating a divorce that works for everyone. While some couples find the only way to effectively negotiate the end of their relationship is with the help of a litigation attorney (which I am), others prefer the flexibility and comfort offered by mediation services (which is my favorite process for people that are able to do it). In recent years, divorce mediation has grown increasingly popular.

Many of the couples I’ve worked with in the past believe mediation helps to remove some of the stress associated with the litigation process, and can even speed up dispute resolution. However, accessing a reputable, friendly, and available mediator to handle your Saratoga County divorce mediation isn’t always easy.

In the past, many couples have been restricted in their search for a divorce mediator based on their geographical location. Now that the legal landscape is beginning to digitally transform, allowing mediators like me to e-file documents and communicate with customers through virtual conferencing methods like Zoom, Saratoga County residents have a lot more options. Continue reading ›

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