Long Island Family Law and Mediation Blog
In some cases, the only way to reach a positive outcome in a divorce settlement or family law cases is to leverage the support of an attorney in a traditional litigative process. However, there are instances where alternative dispute resolution methods can be more cost-effective, less time consuming, and less stressful for residents of Albany County, New York.
Divorce or Family law mediation is a versatile solution that allows couples to come together to discuss and negotiate on matters related to the end of their marriage. It can cover everything from child custody and parenting time to conversations about maintenance and equitable distribution of martial assets and marital debt.
Working as both a family law attorney and divorce mediator, I’ve seen the benefits of family and divorce mediation myself countless times. Residents of New York I’ve worked with in the past have found that this approach to alternative dispute resolution can quickly lead to amicable results, allowing them to move on with the next stage of their lives as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Now that I can offer working as a virtual divorce mediator services to my clients over channels like Zoom, and even e-file uncontested divorce documents with the courts, I can extend this service to couples all across Long Island and New York, including those in the Albany County area. Here’s why you might consider working with me as your family law and divorce mediator.
Knowledge of Both Albany County and Family Law
Home to more than 300,000 residents, Albany County was originally established by the English government in the Colonial era. Since then, the county has grown into a diverse and beautiful place, highly regarded by visitors and residents alike for its incredible architecture, and hotspots like Washington Park.
My familiarity with New York and the family law legal system makes me a unique asset to my clients. I can provide behind-the-scenes insights to couples about the issues that arise during a divorce case, helping them to understand how the courts make decisions about things like child support, parenting time, and equitable distribution.
This ensures I can give my clients a clear view of what to expect as they navigate through complex divorce proceedings, whether I’m working with them face-to-face, or offering guidance through mediation sessions delivered on Zoom.
Experience in Both Litigation and Mediation
Since I was first admitted to the State Bar of New York in 1999, I’ve had an opportunity to explore various aspects of the legal landscape. I initially worked alongside a number of firms throughout Long Island and New York, honing my skills in litigation, before I joined the Assigned Panel of Suffolk County, and eventually went on to open my own legal office.
During my career journey, I discovered a passion for matrimonial and family law, and supporting people through the complexities of divorce, child custody, and similar proceedings. Though I continue to recognize the value of litigation in these cases, I’ve also seen how stressful the traditional legal process can be for many clients, which prompted me to explore the benefits of alternative dispute resolution.
Investing in extensive mediation training, I learned how mediation techniques could be used to give couples a more cost-effective and convenient way to handle the nuances of divorce. Eventually, I decided to start offering my own mediation services to clients, initially delivering sessions in-person.
When the pandemic arrived, and the courts were forced to digitize some of their processes, this opened the door for me to start offering virtual divorce mediation sessions to clients, hosted over channels like Zoom. Now, I can provide couples all over New York and Long Island, including those in Albany County, with mediation support they can access from the comfort of their own homes.
A Comprehensive Approach to Family Law Mediation
The divorce mediation process is designed to be fair, objective, and supportive to both parties, helping couples to reach agreements about the future of their separate lives. Since I began offering mediation sessions to my clients, my focus has always been on offering a service that’s versatile and comprehensive, helping couples with even the most complicated stages of the divorce journey.
Using a range of mediation techniques, I can guide couples through the process of equitably distributing marital assets and debts, focusing on driving a fair result for each party. I can use my knowledge as a family law attorney in evaluative mediation sessions that center around sensitive topics like child custody, parenting time, and child support.
My knowledge of how the courts decide on the right outcomes in a divorce based on the best interests of children means I can guide couples towards a resolution that could be suitable in the eyes of the courts. Throughout mediation sessions, I also use a variety of different techniques to improve the flow of valuable and relevant conversations.
As an objective party in the process, I use interest-based negotiation to help ensure parties feel as though their needs have been heard and understood. I also frequently leverage facilitative mediation techniques, like open-ended questioning, to help parties get to the bottom of their fears, concerns, and requirements throughout the divorce process.
Flexible Family Law Mediation for Albany County Residents
Over the years, I’ve seen first-hand how effective family law mediation can be at driving positive outcomes for both parties at the end of a marriage. However, in the past, many clients from Albany County have struggled to access these services, simply because they don’t have the freedom to make the long commute all the way to my Jericho County office.
Now that I can offer virtual divorce mediation sessions over Zoom, and file documents with the court online, I can ensure that couples from all across New York and Long Island can explore the benefits of mediation for themselves. No matter the complexity of your situation, if you believe divorce mediation might be the right solution for you, my office can work with you to plan the perfect strategy for your needs, whether it’s through in-person sessions, or online mediation.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of using a divorce mediator, what these sessions entail, and how you can access support virtually, you can contact my office today. Get in touch either through the contact form on this website or over the phone to arrange an initial consultation for yourself and your partner with my mediation team.