Articles Posted in Divorce

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 ›

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 ›

Mediationpic27buspeoplemanwomancalledinterview-300x200Just as every marriage is different, each divorce process has its own unique nuances to consider.

When a marriage ends, assets and debts need to be distributed between both parties, and decisions need to be made about the future of any children, whether or not there will be any maintenance (alimony), and even who will be able to keep the family home.

In some cases, the best way to reach an agreement on these complex topics is to present your case in a Dutchess County court, with the help of an attorney to guide you through the litigation process. However, many couples also find alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, or negotiating an agreement, before any case is filed, to be an excellent way to tie up the loose ends of their relationship.

Divorce mediation can be an excellent tool for side stepping the expense, complexity, and stress of the litigation process. The challenge many couples have is finding a divorce mediator who can adapt to their needs, and offer a convenient, flexible service. Continue reading ›

Lawyers-Office-300x200In 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. Continue reading ›

Mediationpic23Zoomwithrightamountofsmilingpeople-300x200In an ideal world, divorce would be something no couple ever had to worry about. Unfortunately, relationships can fall apart for a range of reasons. Over time, people grow distant, priorities change, and issues occur that could cause divorce to be the only viable option for you and your partner.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any different ways to approach the end of your marriage. For some residents of Orange County, New York, litigation may be the best solution to effectively complete the divorce process. For others, divorce mediation could be a valuable alternative.

As both a divorce mediator and family lawyer, I’ve seen the benefits of both litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods at different times. For many of the people I work with, though, divorce mediation offers a fantastic way to mitigate some of the stress, expense, and fatigue of the litigation process. The biggest challenge for many couples is finding the right mediator to guide them through the divorce process.

Now that virtual divorce mediation is an option, my office can deliver convenient mediation sessions to Orange County residents, either in-person, for those willing to travel to my office in Nassau County Long Island or from the comfort of their own homes. Here are some of the reasons why clients choose to work with me on the divorce process. Continue reading ›

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