How to Find Family Law Mediation Services Near Me

 If you’re considering divorce, or are dealing with ongoing issues in a family law case such as child custody, visitation and property division, professional mediation services can help resolve those disputes. A wide variety of family law and divorce mediation experts are available in New York, both through private practice and through community-based alternative dispute resolution (ADR) providers. If you’re not sure what ADR means or how it works, check with your local Surrogate’s court inside and outside of New York City, or contact a Community Dispute Resolution Center in your area to ask about free/low-cost ADR options.

A reputable mediation service will match you with a mediator who’s right for your case based on a short list of questions about your situation and your goals. In the case of divorce mediation, the goal is to help you and your spouse or partner come up with a divorce settlement agreement that’s fair, thorough and in everyone’s best interests.

You should start your search for mediation services near me by asking for referrals from friends, family members and co-workers who’ve gone through a divorce or another type of family law dispute. You can also check out the mediation website of your state’s court administration office, which typically maintains lists of approved mediators with their training and experience.

Most importantly, you should find out whether the mediator you’re considering practices mediation full time. That’s important because laws, guidelines and strategies change frequently. If the mediator only mediates on the side, that might make it difficult for them to stay on top of changes in their practice area.

Once you’ve found a few potential mediators, check out their websites. You can usually find basic information such as their contact information, fees and how they handle cases in different practice areas. Some family mediators specialize in specific types of cases, such as high-conflict divorces or elder disputes. You’ll also want to consider how far they are from your home. If the commute is too long, it might not be a good fit for your schedule or lifestyle.

If you and your spouse or partner have children, you’ll want to know whether the mediator has experience resolving parenting and custody disputes. You’ll also want to understand the mediator’s policy on child-related issues such as medical decision-making, religious upbringing, communication and transportation.

You may need to mediate disputes in other family matters, such as wills and estate planning, or disagreements among heirs. Some elder mediation services are specifically designed to help families resolve their own disputes without going through the courts.

If you’re interested in mediation for a divorce, custody or other family-related issue, contact us at Equitable Mediation. We can help you find a highly qualified mediator who can help you reach a mutually satisfying, negotiated solution that puts your kids first. We offer mediation in New York and New Jersey, both online and face-to-face. We also provide consultations with attorneys and can help you file your own divorce complaint.