Carolyn Zenk, Attorney at Law, meets clients and conducts mediations in the comfort of her Hampton Bay’s office. She’ll have a smile and a cup of coffee ready for you!
CERTIFIED MEDIATOR TOURO LAW SCHOOL. Carolyn Zenk, Attorney, is a Certified Mediator. She earned her certification in mediation from Touro Law School.
WHAT IS MEDIATION? Mediation is the process by which two or more parties come to a resolution using the services of a mediator on an issue of concern between them without using the courts.
WHAT TYPES OF ISSUES ARE MEDIATED? All kinds of issues can be mediated. The most common type of mediation is divorce mediation and/or mediation of prenuptial agreements. During this process, a couple may meet with a lawyer in her office, receive information with regard to New York State’s Domestic Relations Law or Child Support Standards Act, and receive information on spousal and/or wife support, child support, maintenance, equitable distribution or property division and other vital issues. This information helps the couple to determine how a court of law might handle their issue and gives them guidance dividing their assets and preparing a fair support and visitation schedule when the couple has children.
Couples may also mediate prenuptial agreements before they marry. These agreements help to determine how property will be divided in the event the couple splits later and help to determine which property will be considered separate (not subject to division) and/or marital (divided or shared) property. Other issues can also be mediated. Contracts are commonly mediated. Landlord/tenant issues can be mediated. Debts can be mediated. Family disputes can be mediated.
THE ADVANTAGES OF MEDIATION V. LITIGATION. Using the Court system in New York has gotten incredibly expensive. Using an Attorney/Mediator can give parties an idea of how courts will resolve their issues, without the expense of going to court. Parties can withdraw from mediation at any time. They are only bound to resolutions of their problem when they decide to sign contracts to resolve their differences. Mediations can cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars in instances where engaging in litigation to solve the issue might cost the parties from $5,000 to $60,000. Mediation is much less contentious than litigation. Couples can remain friends and raise their children in peace. Business partners can settle disputes amiably.
CAN LAY PEOPLE MEDIATE AND WHEN IS IT ADVISABLE TO USE THEM? Lay people can mediate in New York. It is inadvisable to use lay mediators when it comes to divorce, separation agreements, child custody, expensive contracts, or matters of great personal or financial significance. One might use a layperson for matters worth less than $1,000 where one is absolutely sure there are no significant legal issues.
Carolyn Zenk, Attorney at Law is a Certified Mediator.
Mediation is a just process. Each of the parties
are treated in a fair and balanced way.
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