(203) 222-4949 Westport Mediation & Collaboration Lawyers
Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorneys
Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC offers clients alternative dispute resolution services, including mediation and collaboration. For those seeking a less adversarial approach, working with an experienced Westport mediation lawyer can be an effective way to resolve family law matters outside of court. In certain cases, mediation and collaboration can be appropriate alternatives to litigation and more cost-effective as well.
In our opinion, for mediation and collaboration to be successful, the parties must want to move forward with their lives, remain committed to the process, and conduct themselves with civility. A certain degree of trust is also necessary to streamline the discovery process, which would likely be much more exhaustive in litigation. For parties on relatively amicable terms, mediation or collaboration can help reduce the stress associated with divorce, custody, parenting plans, and post-judgment matters while saving significant time and expense.
Because we are also experienced litigators at Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC and are in court on a regular basis, including acting as Special Masters, we offer our clients who choose mediation or collaboration a valid context and knowledgeable perspective as to the appropriate parameters for settlement.
Additionally, at Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC, we have the ability to offer a team approach to mediation and collaboration. When clients request it, we are able to provide two lawyers who act in concert but may bring different perspectives or approaches to the table.
In addition to a pure mediation or collaboration approach, Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC subscribes to the concept of attempting to mediate and collaborate on issues or an entire case within the litigation process. In these cases, while we act as advocates for our clients, we attempt to “lower the temperature” through four-way meetings with the parties and counsel. If everyone is in agreement, this approach can be used at any time during the litigation process. Sometimes it is appropriate to start off in this manner. In other cases it works well once the litigation process has progressed to a point where the climate is conducive to a more cooperative approach. And many times, a mediation or collaborative approach is successful toward the end of a case and leads to a mutually beneficial resolution without the need for trial. We sometimes encourage people involved in more complex divorces to consider mediation or collaboration as a supplement to litigation. In many cases, this approach can facilitate a more respectful environment that can lead to fair and equitable resolutions.
In summary, we believe in mediation and collaboration in certain cases for the right reasons. We are flexible and sensitive to our clients’ needs and adapt our posture and tone accordingly. However, should these alternative dispute approaches not be appropriate or fail during the process for any reason, a Westport mediation lawyer at Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC is adept in achieving our clients’ goals through litigation.
Contact Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC at 203-222-4949.
Q&A About Mediation
Center for Directed Mediation A Concierge Practice
Absolutely. Mediation is a non–adversarial process that may be the answer for you if, as a couple, you are both committed to certain objectives, for example:
- Acting amicably and respectfully, even though there may be disagreements along the way
- Proceeding on the same timetable
- Making paramount your children’s best interests
- Providing transparency about your financial situation
- Ensuring that you maximize confidentiality about your private issues
Virtually all of them, including cases with child custody and parenting related issues, high net worth cases with complex financial arrangements, or cases with more modest financial circumstances.
Trust. In one simple word. Couples get divorced for many reasons but there are certain couples, who despite the circumstances, still trust each other to arrive at a fair and legally binding resolution of their case.
Yes! This is true even though Courts remain closed for most in–person divorce matters and the number of senior judges has been substantially reduced. A successful mediation will lead to a Divorce Agreement where yediou never need to step foot in the Courtroom. You can get divorced as soon as you have a Divorce Agreement.
Typically, yes. If couples are committed to doing so, they can move through the process rather quickly, but without forfeiting the diligence that is required for a fair and equitable result.
Usually. Without the need for formal information gathering or Court intervention, the cost–savings can be substantial, and especially so because there is no need to hire attorneys as advocates in this process.
Once the mediation gets to the point where the mediator drafts a Divorce Agreement, it is advisable for the parties to each hire counsel to review it to make sure it accurately reflects the understanding of the parties and protects their interests.
At Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC, we subscribe to a unique style of mediation that is aimed at getting couples through the divorce process in a quick, efficient, and cost-savings manner. As the largest Family Law firm in Connecticut, our eight highly credentialed lawyers have vast experience with a wide range of divorce and post-divorce cases throughout the state. We know “what the Judge would likely do.” So we get right to it in our mediation sessions. We do not waste time. We set an ambitious but doable schedule for all to follow and we stay on it. We guide couples to a resolution with the backdrop and context of likely outcomes based on years of experience.
At Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC, we hold the hands of couples who are going through the mediation process with us. We set expectations at the beginning. We commit to a rapid response. If needed, we arrange for any necessary collaterals, such as therapists, accountants, financial planners, real estate appraisers, and business valuation experts. We streamline the process so you can concentrate on yourselves and your family during this transitional time. Lastly, we do not disappear when your case is over but rather remain available to assist with establishing support systems for your new post-divorce life.