| Staten Island family law cases are governed by the | | | | attempt mediation before incurring the stress and |
| rules of the Superior Court. Under those rules, parties | | | | expense of trial. Paying a Staten Island family law |
| must attempt to mediate before going to trial. A | | | | lawyer to appear at trial can be very costly, and |
| family law mediation usually takes place at the office | | | | court trials are quite stressful. Furthermore, when |
| of a third-party, neutral family law attorney with | | | | parties separate, there is usually already a lot of |
| whom the parties contract to help resolve the issues | | | | stress in the relationship. The parties do not make |
| of their case. This attorney must be experienced in | | | | good decisions about one another and sometimes |
| the nuances of Seattle family law so that he or she | | | | hold onto animosity that keeps them from making |
| may advise each side as to how a judge is likely to | | | | agreements. Unfortunately, this stalemate can lead to |
| rule if the case went to trial. The parties usually | | | | less than desirable consequences, and your lawyer will |
| remain separate from each other during the | | | | have to charge you to argue for you in court. |
| mediation, and the mediator travels back and forth | | | | However, it is also not wise to jump to settlement |
| between each party's station with offers and | | | | too soon. Often parties in Staten Island family law |
| counter-offers from each side. | | | | disputes "just want things to be over" and will settle |
| Not all counties in New York State require mediation. | | | | before making an informed decision. |
| Nevertheless, it is generally a good idea to at least | | | | |