Long Island Family Law and Mediation Blog
Getting separated or divorced is an emotionally charged experience to say the least. It can seem like an incredibly complicated process, but working with the right professionals can make it as smooth as possible. Ending a marriage, whether it’s an amicable split or not – creates a lot of headaches – from figuring out how you’re going to divide assets, to determining parenting time strategies.
For some couples in Tompkins County, the best option is to hand the case over to the New York courts, hiring their litigators, and trusting in them to identify an outcome that meets everyone’s best interests. However, other couples prefer to avoid court rooms, or maintain more control over the decisions made about their future lives – and that’s where mediation comes in.
I’ve found mediation to be an incredible solution for many of the people I work with– one that helps them to avoid the stress and headaches of standard divorce procedures, and even maintain some of the amicable relationship they have with their ex-spouse.
However, a great experience starts with finding the right divorce mediator – and for Tompkins County residents – that hasn’t always been easy as they may have been limited in their options. Here’s how virtual mediation services can make a difference – and why Tompkins County residents may choose me as their divorce mediator.
Finding a Divorce Mediator in Tompkins County
Known for incredible tourist attractions like the Museum of Earth, Buttermilk Falls, and even the Cornell Botanical Gardens – Tompkins County is an incredible versatile, and eye-catching region in New York State. Home to more than 105,740 residents (as of the 2020 census), this county is both culturally and aesthetically rich – attracting families and visitors from everywhere.
Around 41.20% of the couples in Tompkins County are married today, and many (around a quarter) have children under the age of 18 living with them. While some of these families will last a lifetime, others will change over time, as partners grow apart or move in different directions. When a married couple decides its time to sever ties, many in this region will turn to divorce mediation.
After all, unlike litigation, mediation is a cooperative process that allows couples to settle divorce matters on their own terms – at least to a certain extent. The main issue couples face when they choose to explore this method of alternative dispute resolution – is finding the right divorce mediator.
While Tompkins County is undoubtedly home to a wide range of talented professionals – not every couple will be best served by someone located close-to-home. Unfortunately, in the past, the face-to-face nature of standard mediation practices meant options were extremely limited.
Now, however, virtual mediation solutions have arrived, allowing professionals like myself to serve couples wherever they are, through convenient sessions held on Zoom or similar channels. This convenience not only saves time and money but also lessens the burden of coordinating schedules during an already challenging time – while giving couples the freedom of choice.
Unique Virtual Mediation Services in Tompkins County
For some Tompkins County couples, a local mediator may be the perfect option – particularly if they find one they feel comfortable with. However, many others will find themselves searching for an alternative – and struggling to track down the perfect fit close to home.
In the past, these couples have understandably avoided searching for mediators outside of their immediate area – fearing long and expensive travel requirements. But with virtual mediation sessions, they now have the freedom to work with any professional they choose – without a long commute.
Couples that choose me as their mediator often say that they decided to request my services for various reasons, such as my friendly nature, or my ability to offer comprehensive support and a range of different options to suit varying cases. But often the biggest value I can bring to a couple, is my hands-on experience in the family law landscape.
Unlike other mediators who might have found their calling after working as psychiatrists, or financial advisors, I infused mediation into the various services already offered by my family law practice.
For more than two decades, I’ve worked as an attorney across Jericho County, Suffolk County, and various regions of Long Island and New York. I’ve dealt with complex cases involving parenting time, custody disputes and protection orders, as well as simpler, more straightforward cases.
It’s this breadth of hands-on experience that allows me to bring unique insights and perspectives to the mediation process. I can help my clients consider their options carefully with in-depth insights into case law and court processes. I can offer objective, genuine, and authentic guidance to each party simultaneously, helping to accelerate the path to mutually beneficial decisions.
For those who want to reduce the complexity and emotional strain of the divorce process as much as possible, this experience can be invaluable.
Flexible Support for Every Tompkins County Client
Throughout my long career in family law, I’ve seen first-hand how devastating and exhausting the divorce process can be. That’s why I’ve always made it a personal mission to simplify the complexity – as much as possible. Early in my career, after I was initially admitted to the New York State Bar, I started my journey with the Assigned Panel of Suffolk County.
It was the experiences I had here that prompted me to eventually focus my attention on family law, and open my office, first in Suffolk County, followed by a location in Nassau County. Over the years, I’ve offered numerous services to couples in need. I’ve acted as a personal attorney or review attorney for individual clients, worked collaboratively with other professionals on cases, and even offered my services as a legal consultant.
Exploring the world of mediation gave me a unique opportunity to provide my clients with an alternative method of dispute resolution – ideal for couples in search of a faster, less emotionally taxing approach to the end of a marriage. After discovering just how effective mediation could be for the local clients I served, I was keen to bring my services to more couples in need.
Fortunately, the digital transformation of the legal space in the last few years has allowed me to do this. Now, I can deliver mediation sessions to clients over platforms like Zoom – enabling them to participate from the comfort of their own home. I can also e-File documents with the courts.
Comprehensive Mediation Services
The more years I’ve spent as a mediator, the more I’ve recognized that the right approach to mediation often requires a multifaceted, and customizable approach. Fortunately, my training, combined with my experience in family law, allows me to use a range of methods to achieve the best outcomes for my clients.
Like many mediators, I believe strongly in interest-based negotiation techniques, used during discussions to ensure that every participant has a chance to voice their opinions, and feel heard. This balanced and empathetic approach is essential for resolving the intricate issues that a divorce can bring, and it has proven particularly effective among the thoughtful, community-oriented residents of Tompkins County.
I also find that facilitative mediation techniques are incredibly effective at driving discussions in the right direction – encouraging open and honest dialogue. The more parties can articulate their priorities clearly, and get to the bottom of their concerns and goals, the faster resolutions are found.
Plus, thanks to my knowledge of the legal landscape, I’m able to use evaluative mediation techniques to provide behind the scenes insights into complex legal scenarios – helping my clients to view their agreements and decisions from the perspective of the courts. This can significantly reduce the confusion and complexity of an emotional divorce process.
Convenient Divorce Mediation in Tompkins County
Mediation won’t always be the right option for every Tompkins County couple ready to bring an end to their marriage. But for those who feel the strategy is right for them, it’s important to ensure you can choose the mediator that best suits your needs.
Now that I can offer virtual mediation services to couples throughout New York and Long Island, Tompkins County residents have the freedom to decide for themselves whether my services are right for them. You don’t have to be restricted to local options to avoid travel.
If you think I could be the mediator that’s right for your needs, please reach out to my friendly team today. You can arrange a free initial consultation with yourself and your partner of up to thirty minutes via the contact form on this website, or contact us over the phone. I look forward to partnering with you and supporting your journey toward a new chapter in life.