mediation long island

[4kidz]

Hello All
        I need help. I am trying to find a recommendation for a Mediator on Long Island New York. I have tried everything to make it work. I have come to the realization that it is over and I need to move on. Any help would be greatly appreciated...


                                                                                                        Thanks
                                                                                                               4Kidz

[ForeverDad]

As I understand it, the children are grown and so there are no custody or parenting time issues, right?  In that case it is likely limited to the division of marital assets and debts and perhaps too some limited alimony.

Add up the marital assets, and subtract the sum of the marital debts.  That would be the marital equity to be split.  But if you earn more than she does then likely you'd be stuck with more of the debts than assets, so that means you'd keep an additional portion of the assets.  What you don't want to happen is that she gets the assets and you get the debts.  She may demand that but it's not realistic.

Alimony ig generally no more than half the marriage and often much less.  In my settlement it was 2 months for every year, more favorable than most states.  The point is that any alimony would be for the short term purpose to transition out of the marriage.  Perhaps she can get job training or career education to become more prepared for work.  No, not 8 years at college.  College classes are possible but probably only for up to 2 years.  The key is short term.  Just because you were married for about 10 years should not be basis for lifetime alimony, though I wouldn't be surprised if she demands it.  She can, and probably will, demand the sun, moon and stars and expect to get them too!

It's possible you can't get a reasonable settlement from her, not yet.  We generally don't find that mediation early in a divorce works, they're too entitled at that early stage.  It is more likely later, often just before a major hearing or trial.  For that reason keep the case moving along in court.

Does your lawyer have any recommendations for a mediator?