Whether it be for a divorce or family law issue, it is important to seek legal advice before making decisions that may impact the rest of your life as well as your children’s.
Ms. Nicholson can assist you in choosing the right process for resolving your family law issue(s). Her primary goal is to ensure that you have explored all alternatives to court intervention.
Enlisting the assistance of the court system should be a last resort, and is only appropriate in limited circumstances, such as in cases where domestic violence may be involved.
Experienced in working through conflict and committed to finding resolutions to disputes involving the following issues
Separation Agreements
Parenting Plans and Time-Sharing Arrangements
Child Support
Spousal Support/Maintenance
Equitable Distribution (Division of marital assets)
Pre-nuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements
Relocation
Grandparent Visitation
Guardianships
The Court System
The Court System exists to address a wide range of legal matters affecting families. As people change, families change. Unfortunately, not everyone changes for the better, makes the same choices or follows the same path in life. The courts are available to assist families in resolving problems and disputes when all efforts by the parties to find a solution have failed. Most people learn too late that court intervention is not the answer.
Justice within the Court System is an Elusive Concept
After expending precious financial resources on rapidly escalating attorney’s fees, missing time at work due to unavoidable court appearances where the parties may or may not have the opportunity to appear before a judge and missing out on quality family time due to unresolved issues that might have been addressed in an interim agreement in mediation, parties too late come to realize that justice is an elusive concept.
Alternatives to Court
Ms. Nicholson’s goal is to assist you in transitioning to a new life with the least amount of emotional turmoil. Whatever process you choose, whether it be collaborative divorce or family mediation, she will work with you to find a resolution which leaves you financially secure, and if children are involved, with a workable parenting plan which protects their best interests.
Margaret A. Nicholson, Mediator and Collaborative Divorce Attorney. Call (914) 669-5224