What to Look for in a Family Law Attorney in Connecticut
There are many kinds of cases that fall under the heading of family law. Divorce, child custody and support, and domestic violence are a few examples but they extend to many matters involving family members and those with other types of domestic connections. . There are differences in family legislation from one state to the next. That is why for a family law matter in Connecticut, you should look for an experienced family law attorney in CT who is licensed to practice in that state and who has in-depth knowledge of the legal system.
The majority of family cases are divorces and the circumstances that go along with them. Couples with children may spend a great deal of time in court fighting over child custody, visitation arrangements, and child support. These issues must be worked out in addition to the dissolution of the marital property. Attkisson Law Firm is the right choice in a family law attorney in CT to make the difference in your divorce case. When battling your divorce out in the courtroom is not the best process for you, mediation can provide a better alternative.
Divorce Mediation
Divorce is one area of law where mediation is especially beneficial. The anger, hurt, and disappointment that accompany the dissolution of a marriage can grow into a long, expensive courtroom battle. Each spouse often becomes determined to “win” the case and get everything they want. It isn’t until the judge makes a final decision that they realize they aren’t going to get the results they had hoped for.
Unlike litigation that takes place in a courtroom, mediation takes place in a neutral area that is not in front of a judge. Mediation hearings rarely take more than one day and are often completed in a half-day or less. Also unlike litigation, the setting is one of respect. Instead of going into the courtroom to fight it out, mediation facilitates an efficient process that is designed to reach the best resolution for both spouses and for their children.
The Last Word
In litigation, each spouse typically has an attorney who represents them and fights to get their client the best outcome. Once all the facts of the case have been presented by both sides, the judge considers the laws that apply to the case and makes a final decision. Once that decision has been made, the couple has no choice but to accept it and move on.
In mediation, the spouses come up with a list of priorities and potential outcomes for their divorce. Instead of focusing on what they can get from the other spouse, they consider what would be fair and reasonable for each of them. Once they have considered each option, both spouses have the say in whether they are willing to accept the agreement as binding or whether the case must go to trial. Your choice in a family law attorney in CT should be one who is experienced and skilled at mediation if you want the best results from the mediation process.
The Job of the Mediator
The mediator does not make the final decision. Both spouses retain control of the hearing and determine whether a resolution is agreeable to both of them. The mediator guides both spouses in the direction needed to come to the best solution without representing the rights of one or the other. The goal is to find the best resolution for all of the people the outcome will impact.
In some cases, the mediator will meet in private with the individual parties before meeting as a group. The skills and experience of the mediator will determine the potential for a successful mediation process.
In addition to the less volatile setting of divorce mediation, there are a number of additional benefits including:
- Shorter Resolution Period – In the beginning, couples may be more interested in hurting each other than they are in picking up the pieces of their own lives. After some time to heal, they may be ready to move forward. When their divorce case continues to be tied up in court for months, it can end up causing them more grief than they are prepared for. Divorce mediation allows spouses to move on with their life as a single person.
- Less Expensive – Most people know that time in court costs money. The longer the case drags on, the more expensive it will be. Some people who hire their lawyers on contingency don’t have to pay anything until the case is settled. They may be surprised when a big chunk of their settlement is already gone to their lawyer before they even get started. Divorce mediation, on the other hand, costs a specific price that is hundreds to thousands less than litigation.
- Privacy – Businesses often resort to arbitration to settle legal disputes because they don’t have to expose business secrets that are important to their operation. Although couples don’t have to worry about others stealing company secrets, many are concerned about the impact airing dirty laundry in public will have. Divorce mediation allows you to discuss only what is necessary to work out a resolution that is satisfactory. You don’t have to worry about what is being said about you and your marriage in front of a group of strangers.
- Better for the Kids – Too often, children are looked at as marital property by the spouses, with each one telling the judge why they would make the better parent. They may not think about the importance of being good parents to their children once the divorce is final. A knowledgeable family law attorney in CT knows that the kids come first. Through mediation, he will help you learn how to work together and be good parents to your kids long after you are no longer married to each other. In divorce mediation, both spouses and children are considered parties that will be impacted by the outcome of the divorce process.