Why Working With A Neutral Mediator Makes Sense

Although mediation does not work for every divorcing couple, it is an effective method many use when hoping to separate amicably from their spouse. It eliminates much of the stress, emotional hardship and financial strain of going through a lengthy courtroom battle when getting divorced. It also allows you to have a greater say in the decisions that affect your life for years to come. Couples who work with a mediator can voice their concerns in an open environment where everyone has agreed to cooperate with one another.

Working Together To Shape The Next Phase Of Life

When serving as a qualified mediator, Helene Bernstein of the Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC, acts as a neutral facilitator, providing a comfortable environment where clients can work together in a series of negotiation sessions to shape their future. She helps clients and their attorneys, when necessary, reach mutually satisfactory decisions based on the choices they make together.

Ms. Bernstein encourages parties to focus on their child’s needs and interests when creating custody and parental access agreements. She works with divorcing parties and their lawyers, when necessary, as they discuss parameters for their divorce, such as property division and child custody. At the end of the mediation process, she can help create an agreement tailored specifically to their circumstances, which can then be used to finalize the divorce.

Ms. Bernstein has been qualified by the New York State Office of Court Administration to mediate divorces in Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as child custody cases in the New York City Family Courts. She is an active member of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, the New York Council on Divorce Mediation and active with FamilyKind, a nonprofit organization that provides support to families in transition due to separation or divorce.

A Collaborative Divorce Is Another Option

Like mediation, collaborative divorce proceedings give divorcing couples the opportunity to negotiate their divorce settlements in an out-of-court setting. In a collaborative divorce, a neutral mediator is not always necessary. Ms. Bernstein has the legal background and knowledge needed to serve as your attorney in a collaborative divorce environment. In this role, she attends negotiation settlements with clients, ensuring their wishes are appropriately presented and protected throughout all meetings.

Collaborative divorce law involves certain characteristics unique to this process:

• A participation agreement bars the attorneys from ever representing their clients in court should the collaborative divorce sessions fail.
• Parties agree to remain courteous and respectful and act in good faith.
• Parties agree to disclose all relevant information.
• Parties agree not to use legal mistakes against one another during the negotiation process.
• Experts who are engaged to render their opinions must be hired by both parties and remain neutral at all times.

You can read more about collaborative law and the benefits of mediation on this site’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Learn More About Mediation And Collaborative Divorce

Helene Bernstein is ready to help if you are interested in exploring the benefits of mediation or collaborative divorce law when separating from your spouse. Ms. Bernstein keeps flexible office hours to better suit her clients’ busy schedules, and she accepts credit cards.

Located in Brooklyn, the Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC, serves clients in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Call 917-920-9627 or reach the firm through the online contact form to schedule a consultation with Ms. Bernstein.