Do You Need a Lawyer for Mediation in Staten Island?
Video Transcript
New York doesn’t require each spouse to have separate counsel to mediate in Staten Island, but many still consult a lawyer to review the final agreement before it’s filed with Richmond County Supreme Court. That review step protects both parties’ interests.
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
If one of the parties, either spouses, says, I object to you having a lawyer there, then the other person cannot bring a lawyer, is that correct?
Bill Leininger – Divorce Mediation Attorney – Staten Island, New York
Mediation, yes, mediation is all about self-empowerment of the spouses, not the judge, not the mediator, but the clients will control and that’s one of the reasons why the average mediation may cost four or five, six thousand and not $50,000 to $75,000 if you’re fighting in court.
And I tell people this… I go very poor, so I tell people stay sharp, always assume your lawyer is, that you know, he’s fighting for you but always assume that you want to verify and you don’t want things just to be done done done and you get a big bill every month. You and your spouse will decide whether or not it’s necessary for us to have that third meeting or something.
So, it means client empowerment. You and your spouse are going to decide whether this is going to be a reasonable priced divorce, whether the kids are going to be peeing in their pants because of the stress going back and forth, or are you two going to put the needs of your kids that God gave you first?
So, it’s a wonderful way to practice. I can’t tell you how I enjoy my mediation practice much more than going to court and trying to cut somebody’s gonads off.