Divorce Mediation Center of Long Island

Most people who marry dream of an everlasting love as they live happily ever after. That is the ideal, but the reality in today’s America is quite different. Approximately half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce; the reasons are as diverse as the people involved, but one fact is certain: divorce is often an acrimonious, bitter, adversarial and expensive legal procedure in which there is no winner – and when children are involved, they are the ones who often suffer the most.

 

Divorce Mediation is an alternative to the traditional drawn-out and painful court battle. At the Divorce Mediation Center of Long Island the opposing parties in a divorce proceeding will work with a trained, professional mediator. Instead of focusing on blame, the settlement is worked out that best serves the needs of all concerned. Rather than focusing on the conflicts and/or events that led to the decision to separate, mediation centers on the exploration of options that will enable the opposing parties to move on with their lives as quickly and with as little pain as possible. Because these settlements are in the best interest of all concerned, they tend to lead to faster settlements and are less likely to be contested later – which is not the case with the usual adversarial process.

 

The Divorce Mediation Center of Long Island has two offices located in Willston Park in Nassau and one in Suffolk. The director is Dr. Emanuel Plesent, who holds a Doctorate in Education. Dr. Plesent has over 25 years experience as a separation and divorce mediator as well as extensive background in family therapy. He is accredited by the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation. He is also an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.

 

Since mediators are not attorneys, it is important to understand that mediation is not in fact a “legal” process; however, state laws and guidelines pertaining to divorce and separation are carefully followed. Nonetheless, mediators are not able to give legal advice, nor can they provide legal services; neither are they therapists. Their primary function is to help the couple clarify their issues and come up with solutions that serve the greatest good for all concerned.

 

The couple receive a brief initial consultation at no charge prior to beginning the actual mediation process, with the option of starting in on mediation immediately following. Depending on whether or not children are involved and the relative complexity of the issues, the entire process generally requires an average of six sessions over two months. Upon completion of the mediation, the mediator will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding that contains the terms required in order to complete the separation. Once the Memorandum of Understanding is completed, the parties may then submit copies to their respective legal counsel who can use it in order to draw up the formal documents.

 

Mediation can cover a range of marital issues that include family matters and issues pertaining to children, parenting responsibilities such as access, custody, visitation rights and financial support, an equitable and fair distribution of marital assets, and alimony. Fees are moderate and are based on an hourly rate; the cost is considerably less than attorney fees.