White Plains, New York, Mediation Attorney

Mediation, like collaborative law, is an alternative way of getting a divorce in New York. I am a family law attorney and trained mediator who can help you get a divorce without going to court.

The mediation process uses a mediator who is neutral. The parties come to the mediator to negotiate a settlement with regard to all aspects of the divorce, including fair and equitable distribution of property, fair property valuation, issues of child custody, securing parenting time, maintenance ("alimony"), and child support.

As a mediator, I don't represent either party. Instead, I help the parties identify what it is that they want. I don't advise on matters of law, so often the two parties will each engage an attorney outside of the mediation process for legal advice..

The mediation process can help you get a divorce quicker and at less cost than litigation, since you are not using a court process. With the assistance of the mediator, you and your spouse can come to mutually agreed decisions about issues such as how to divide up property.

The mediation process assumes the relationship of the two parties is fairly balanced — which often isn't the case in divorce. It is the unique couple who could come to mediation and have the process work. Often in a divorce the two parties are suspicious of each other as to how much money was made, where the money is at, and what assets may be hidden. Mediation should only be used by people who know what their marital assets entail. The two parties should be fairly trusting of each other. They should be confident in their ability to articulate their positions and able to converse with each other in a way that is balanced — rather than having one person be domineering. If one person is domineering, then the couple aren't good candidates for mediation.

Contact me for more information about mediation or if you are seeking a trained mediator to help you with your divorce.

My law office is conveniently located just five minutes from the Westchester County Courthouse and 10 minutes from highways 684 and 287, near the Westchester Mall. You will find ample parking nearby. I provide family law services to clients in all cities and towns in Westchester and Putnam counties in New York State, including White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon, Yorktown, Peakskill, and Goshen.