Save Time, Money and Emotional Energy with a Mediated Separation or Divorce

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Dolores Deane Walker is an attorney and psychotherapist specializing in mediation. She also leads workshops about the emotional and legal aspects of family and divorce mediation. She has been an attorney since 1979, and a psychotherapist and mediator since 1991.

She is the co-author of The Divorce Mediation Answer Book (Publisher: Kodansha; Distributor: Oxford University Press). The book addresses the many issues involved with mediated separation or divorce, from finding the mediator and dealing with emotions to discussing custody arrangements and figuring out financial terms.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATION:

• Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution (formerly AFM)
• Accredited Member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation
• Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York (Board Member 1997-2003)
• New York State Society for Clinical Social Work
• NASW
• The Association of the Bar of the City of NY
• New York State Bar Association, Family Section
• Admitted to the Federal District Court, Eastern District and Southern District, and to the U.S. Supreme Court
• In practice as a mediator in New York City since 1991.
• Leads workshops and appears on national and local television as an expert on divorce mediation

MEDIATOR'S ROLE:

As your mediator, I provide a safe, neutral, and structured environment. I help you work through emotional concerns and legal options so that you can create an agreement that is uniquely applicable to your situation.

I encourage cooperation, help each of you to communicate your needs, and keep the mediation session focussed. I remain neutral throughout the process and serve as your guide. As an attorney and a psychotherapist, I am able to provide information about both the law and about the emotional needs of your children.

When mediation is complete, since I am an attorney/mediator practicing in New York State, if appropriate, I may draft the separation agreement. You will need the separation agreement when you file for divorce.

ADVANTAGES TO MEDIATION:

In mediation, you are able to work out your own unique agreement, avoid litigation, and many hours with two attorneys. Since you are in control of the process, mediation is cost and time-efficient. You decide how quickly to proceed and can control the total cost.

Mediation provides a safe, neutral, structured setting in which to solve your parenting and financial arrangements. It reassures your children that you can continue working together for their benefit.

DECISIONS IN MEDIATION:

Some of the decisions you will make include financial and parenting arrangements, access to records, allocation of assets, responsibility for support, debts, medical and life insurance, and taxes (refunds, penalties, exemptions, status and credits).

SEPARATION AGREEMENT:

Since I am an attorney/mediator, when you have completed mediation, if appropriate, I can draft your formalized final Separation Agreement. I always recommend that the draft Agreement be reviewed by separate independent review attorneys before signing.

If you seek a no-fault divorce, provided that you have lived apart for a year after signing the Separation Agreement, you will be able to file an action for a "no-fault" divorce. This is the only no-fault ground available in New York State.

Address:

Law and Mediation Services
119 Washington Place, Suite C
New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 691-6073
Fax: (212) 414-8603

Please mention DivorceHQ.com when contacting this
New York divorce mediator

Email Address: DWalkermed@aol.com