Why a Lawyer for Divorce Mediator?

Divorce Attorneys as Divorce Mediators

Throughout his time working as a lawyer in New York and Suffolk or Nassau County, Long Island, Mr. Darren M. Shapiro has developed and enhanced his skillset in order to endeavor to provide the best possible care and guidance for each and every client. Part of this effort led him to pursuing a certification as a trained mediator, so that he might work alongside divorcing couples in helping them to reach an amicable agreement regarding the nuances of their divorce. While divorce is never simple, mediation can help to add an element of negotiation into the settlement process, while allowing parties to avoid the complications and discomfort of in-court litigation. As a result, Mr. Shapiro has found that many couples appreciate the option of divorce mediation when legally ending their relationship – particularly, among other situations, when a good platform of communication must be maintained for the sake of children.

Although mediations allow for less involvement from the legal system, divorce is still a legal action that requires professional input from people with an in-depth understanding of divorce law. Ultimately, courts must review papers, approve agreements, and sign off on divorce judgements – regardless of who conducts the actual mediation. As Mr. Darren Shapiro has noticed during his time as a litigator, collaborative lawyer, and trained mediator, parties undergoing divorce want to ensure they’re accessing the best possible guidance for their divorce proceedings. While it’s obvious that a lawyer must be utilized during collaborative and litigation cases, parties who choose mediation have other options available to them, as mediators can come from all walks of life.

With the right training, anyone can become a divorce mediator, but not all of these individuals will be able to provide clients with the same level of care and expertise. For example, divorce lawyers are the only professionals available for mediation who have received an education at law school, obtained their juris doctorates, passed their bar exams, and worked hard at earning admittance to the state bar. While other professionals, such as therapists, can be highly effective when it comes to addressing the needs of children and managing conflict resolution, New York divorce lawyers provide an alternative insight that can be particularly useful in divorce cases. After all, professionals like Mr. Darren Shapiro have learned conflict resolution practices and methods for negotiation in cases of collaborative law and matters of intense litigation. Mr. Shapiro has first-hand insight into the way that custody agreements and parenting time resolutions may work for certain couples, and can provide answers to questions that regularly present themselves, such as “How can I modify agreements at a later date?” or “Which arrangements will courts accept for equitable distribution and child support?”

No matter the situation, divorce is always uncomfortable and emotional. This is why it’s crucial to choose a mediator that you like, respect, and trust to help you negotiate a reasonable settlement. Mediation should deliver a structured format that not only minimizes friction, but helps you to come to your own decisions about the future. Mediators like Mr. Shapiro are not there to act as referees, judges, or arbitrators, or to make decisions on your behalf – instead they are intended to be an impartial third party capable of helping disputants meet an agreeable compromise. Selecting a lawyer like Mr. Darren Shapiro as your mediator means gaining access to someone that has specialized knowledge in the complex area of divorce law. Few other professionals can deliver confident answers to questions regarding the changing nature of child support, or how adjustments might be made to allow future modifications.

Ultimately, whether or not you choose a divorce lawyer as your mediator, it’s important to know that you will require legal input at some point during the process. An attorney will be required to help you draft your settlement agreement, (a task which can be undertaken by your mediator if they are also an admitted lawyer). Keep in mind, however, that even if you do utilize a divorce lawyer as a mediator, you may be advised to seek out an independent review attorney who can go over the terms of your agreement. After all, your mediator is responsible for guiding you through the mediation process, he is not there to offer legal advice.

In Mr. Shapiro’s experience, mediation has been able to offer a preferable alternative to litigation in cases where couples would prefer to deal with the complications and concerns raised in the divorce without attending a courtroom. However, this doesn’t suggest that mediation allows for the absence of legal input. There are various technical issues that attorneys like Mr. Shapiro must include within the language of an agreement during mediation, which is one of the many reasons why a lawyer who is also a mediator can help to reduce the number of issues that must be addressed following the assessment of an agreement by a review attorney. Although it is certainly true that divorce mediators from various professions can be highly talented and qualified when performing divorce mediations, it’s worth noting that sometimes an attorney like Mr. Shapiro may be able to offer a distinct advantage.

However, regardless of the benefits that a divorce attorney can offer to the mediation process, it’s crucial to ensure that the professional you choose is friendly, easy to communicate with, and capable of providing a comfortable environment in which for you to come to terms with your ex-partner. That’s why it’s important to speak to a potential divorce mediator in advance, and ensure you have the right relationship with them. To speak with Mr. Shapiro, or access your initial half an hour consultation with him as a mediator, please feel free to get in touch. Mediation consultations are done with both the husband and wife together. Your consultation will be offered at no charge, and it will give you an opportunity to experience the sort of input Mr. Shapiro may be able to offer.

Let us know what we can do to assist you, in regards to divorce mediation, or any other aspect of matrimonial or family law. We look forward to speaking with you.