If you are considering divorce from your spouse, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Most people are unfamiliar with the legal process of separating two lives that were bound together by law, and choosing an attorney may also be something that you have little to no experience with. The attorneys of Marshall & Taylor PLLC understand this, and we are here to help you. We are here to be your trusted counsel during this challenging time, and we will work hard to help you understand the different options that are available to you.
Pursuing divorce can sometimes be a long, difficult process, but a couple may be able to significantly simplify the dissolution of their relationship through alternative dispute resolution. The most common types are mediation and arbitration. These methods involve both partners resolving their divorce agreement through an impartial, third-party mediator or arbitrator, allowing both spouses to reach a fair, equitable resolution to end their marriage.
Pursuing alternative dispute resolution may not be right for every couple, but in many cases, it can be a cost-effective, low-stress option to other divorce options. In fact, for the many couples in Raleigh who the lawyers at Marshall & Taylor PLLC know, wish to avoid contentious and drawn-out divorce proceedings, pursuing divorce mediation or arbitration can be extremely beneficial.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
If you and your spouse choose to go to an alternative to a traditional divorce lawsuit to settle the issues surrounding your separation, you need to have effective, knowledgeable legal counsel on your side to make sure that your interests are represented accurately. You want an attorney who has extensive experience with mediation, arbitration, med-arb and collaborative divorce and who knows what is most important to you. Your attorney will be able to advise you on what you should fight for and what might be better served as a negotiating tool for things that matter most. These matters are highly sensitive and can be emotionally charged, so it is necessary to have the counsel of an attorney who has been through this before and has achieved significant results on behalf of their clients.
Why Choose Marshall & Taylor PLLC?
For decades, the legal team at Marshall & Taylor PLLC have focused on helping families in Raleigh and across the state with their divorce mediation and arbitration and have helped them move on with their lives. Attorney Jeffrey Marshall is a North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist, a distinction that not all attorneys in this state can match. In addition, he is a Certified Family Financial Mediator, which means that he is more than prepared to handle any of the questions and concerns that come up during both mediation and arbitration cases.
Attorney Marshall, Attorney Taylor, Attorney Seifart, and the entire team at Marshall & Taylor PLLC have built a reputation protecting the interests of people just like you in Raleigh, and they are ready to provide you the help you need to close this chapter and move on with the rest of your life.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Options
Though a mediator or arbitrator will be present during mediation and arbitration proceedings, many people find it advantageous, and the best way to ensure their interests are fully represented to also have an attorney with them when pursuing:
- Divorce Mediation – Both parties have an opportunity to come together and openly present their position to a neutral third-party for help finding a resolution
- Divorce Arbitration – Arbitration, especially binding-arbitration, replaces the trial process and helps settle important matters for the divorcing couple
- Med-Arb – This relatively new process combines mediation and arbitration into one settlement process
- Collaborative Divorce – This is one of the most amicable divorce processes and is often easier for everyone involved if it can be achieved
In all of these situations, an experienced attorney can help guide you through the process and will work hard to make sure your interests are represented. To learn more about your options look at these three advantages to mediation and arbitration. In the end, your attorney should be looking out for your best interests and the interests of any children involved, so make sure to hire a lawyer who knows how to handle these specific processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most people, the decision to divorce is something that they never anticipated when entering the union with their spouse. While many factors likely led to this decision, when it comes time to take action, you need an attorney you can trust to help guide you through the legal process of divorce. We pride ourselves on communication and seek to empower our clients by keeping them informed at all times, so we have provided the answers to a few frequently asked questions that may be of help to you. If you have a question about your specific family situation, contact us directly at (919) 833-1040 to speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate member of our team today.
What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?
Mediation and arbitration are both helpful processes that can potentially avoid traditional litigation. Instead of going to court over an issue, a divorcing couple can opt for mediation or arbitration to resolve important matters like the division of property, financial support, child custody, separate property, and others. While both require the involvement of a third-party, the main difference between the two is that mediation is typically a non-binding process and arbitration is typically binding. To learn more about other legal terms, visit the glossary of Marshall & Taylor PLLC.
How does arbitration work?
Arbitration may have a single arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators who will make decisions based on the evidence that is presented by both sides. If there are multiple arbitrators, the majority vote will decide most matters. Divorcing couples are often allowed to select the arbitrator who will ultimately be the deciding factor in the issues, and this arbitrator usually has experience in a specific area that matters most, like taxes or real estate, to name two. The divorcing couple is allowed to pick the date, time, and location of the hearing and the process is often much more relaxed and private than traditional litigation.
Is alternative dispute resolution for Divorce effective?
Many couples will attest that alternative dispute resolution for divorce was an efficient process for resolving their divorce, without requiring that they go to court. These procedures allow couples to avoid entering what can be a drawn-out, inefficient judicial process. These methods also are often less confrontational and allow for more collaboration and cooperation to resolve essential matters with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse. Mediation especially encourages respect and can maintain an amicable working relationship between the divorcing couple, fostering collaboration in the future as they move on with their separate lives.
Talk to a Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer in Raleigh
If you are considering divorce and are interested in pursuing mediation or arbitration, the team at Marshall & Taylor PLLC, can help. Our certifications and qualifications speak to our experience and focus on this critical aspect of the law, and we are proud of the reputation we have built in our field. We have helped so many people in Raleigh amicably resolve their issues through mediation and arbitration, and when a fight was necessary, we have never backed down. We are ready to help you if you are considering mediation, arbitration, or any other form of divorce.
We know that the process of divorce is inherently painful and stressful, but it doesn’t have to ruin your life as you know it. Instead, you can view it as a necessary step toward a new, happier life for both you and your ex. With the knowledgeable guidance of a legal team that you can trust on your side, you may be able to retain what is most important to you. Keep in mind that not all attorneys are experienced with mediation or arbitration, so choose a legal team that has the right experience and credentials to help you with your case.
We have guided numerous others through the mediation and arbitration process and, as such, have the experience necessary to finalize a divorce successfully. Call us at (919) 833-1040 today or click here to learn more about what we can do to help you through this situation.