Why Is Getting a Divorce in New York So Expensive?
{4 minutes to read} I am often asked by my divorce mediation clients why it costs so much to get an uncontested divorce. My answer is that the system for obtaining a divorce in New [...]
I am Not a Neutral Mediator
{3 minutes to read} In my previous post, I addressed a concern raised by a client about my neutrality. In this post, I detail why, as a divorce mediator, I do not take sides. However, [...]
Don’t Look Back, You’re Not Going That Way
{3:00 minutes to read} So, you found out that your spouse is having an affair and that your marriage is over. Does that mean you need to hire an expensive attorney and go to court? [...]
Maintenance Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — Part 2
{3:00 minutes to read} In my last article, I outlined how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the amount each spouse pays or receives by eliminating the tax deductibility of maintenance. The original purpose of [...]
Maintenance Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — Part 1
{4:00 minutes to read} On December 22, 2017, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (TCJA) was signed into law. One of the most significant changes found in the TCJA for couples seeking a legal separation [...]
To Caucus or Not To Caucus
{3:00 minutes to read} In mediation, a caucus is a private meeting between one of the parties and the mediator. This is routinely done in commercial mediations, with the mediator shuttling back and forth between the [...]
Why is Mediation “Alternative” Dispute Resolution?
{2:06 minutes to read} I recently did a presentation at the Annual Conference of the New York State Dispute Resolution Association. As part of the presentation, I proposed that ADR should not stand for “Alternative” [...]
It’s December and You Haven’t Told Anyone, Yet
{4:24 minutes to read} The timing of a separation is something to which many couples give a lot of thought, especially around the holidays. It is not uncommon for me to meet with a couple [...]
Thinking a Cheating Spouse Will Get You a Better Deal Can be a Critical Mistake
{1:48 minutes to read} Many people are under the mistaken belief that they are entitled to a better financial settlement because their spouse had an affair. The reality is that even before New York adopted a [...]
Paying a Large Retainer to File a Divorce Action Can Be a Critical Mistake
{2:12 minutes to read} A retainer is an advance fee that you pay a lawyer which is in effect a down payment that will be applied toward the total fee charged. The reason why a [...]