Professional and Affordable Divorce Mediation.
SMART DIVORCE is here for you when you need us most, from the comfort of your home or office. Our divorce mediation team works with you to make your divorce as stress-free, peaceful, and amicable as possible. We will help guide you down a non-adversarial path to separation or divorce by facilitating and managing conversations while you maintain control over your future by making your own decisions.
We will guide you through parenting plans, distribution of assets and liabilities, child parenting plans, child support, spousal maintenance and retirement fund distribution.
You will experience less time with less stress and at a fraction of the cost while we work together to craft an agreement that works best for you and your family's needs.
Call our divorce mediation team with any questions so we can explain the process and set up an appointment with a divorce mediator.
Less time, less stress, and a fraction of the cost.
We complete the entire process quickly and effectively, saving you significant time and money. SMART DIVORCE handles every aspect of your divorce including mediation, legal and filing with the courts whereas most divorce mediators don’t.
We work with both parties to determine:
Child support, child custody, spousal support, retirement, property and equitable distribution of your assets and liabilities.
We aim to craft an agreement that works best for you and your family and believe that “divorce is not the end, rather a transition to a new beginning”.
Offering Virtual Divorce Mediation
- All you need is a computer and a phone.
- The process is completed from the comfort of your home or office.
- No Driving to lawyer’s offices or court rooms.
- Perfect for couples in different cities
- Work well with your busy schedule
- No need for parties to be in the same room.
- Less time stress and cost.
Why Divorce Mediation?
The process of divorce can be one of the most stressful, emotional, and difficult experiences that you and your family may experience. It is a process that affects you, your children, family, and friends.
At SMART DIVORCE we provide you with control over the divorce outcome and your future, all while avoiding costly litigation fees and keeping you out of court. As a unbiased third party, our divorce mediation team facilitates a comprehensive, cordial approach to your divorce while operating under the guidelines of the law.
Divorce mediation services are less expensive than litigation.
According to state unified court systems, The average litigated divorce in New York State is between $15,000 and $50,000 per person and can take years to resolve. Spending that amount of money while contending for such an elongated period of time can cause additional damage to your relationship, your children, and your loved ones but most of all is unnecessary to reach an agreement.
Divorce mediation is confidential and private.
The divorce mediation process is private, allowing your confidential information to be discussed in a unbiased forum without the weight of a court case or judicial proceeding after.
Divorce mediation takes less time.
The entire divorce mediation process can be finalized on average with three-to-four sessions. Don't spend years in court with a contested litigation.
Divorce mediation is less stressful.
With mediation, each party discusses the process on their own terms, reaching a mutual decision that works for each party. This method allows us to move at an appropriate speed, improves your post-agreement relationship, and reduces the psychological impact of the divorce on the parties involved.
Smart Divorce NY was founded in 2014 by certified mediator Stephen Felman to offer couples a better, more respectful way to resolve their divorce. We provide professional, private mediation services for spouses in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse Albany and surrounding areas, helping couples reach agreements on parenting plans, finances, and their future—without the cost, conflict, or delays of traditional litigation.
Our practice is recognized as Western New York’s “Finest Choice” for separation and divorce by Art Voice (2015). We are also the exclusive, recommended mediation provider for all SUNY schools and faculty members, which is a reflection of our reputation for fairness, professionalism, and trusted guidance.
About Stephen Felman Stephen Felman is a graduate of Northeastern University and a certified mediator with (84) hours of extensive training in dispute resolution, dispute theory, domestic violence, asset division, and parenting plans. With over 1,000 complete divorces, Stephen brings deep experience, neutrality, and compassion to every mediation session.
He has been featured on Western New York Living and Money Talks, where he helps educate a wider audience about the mediation process and the benefits of resolving divorce outside the courtroom.
Less time, stress, and cost.
DON’T LITIGATE. MEDIATE
Call us today, we will be honored to help.
How Does Divorce Mediation Work?
Divorce mediation is a voluntary process in which both spouses work with a neutral mediator to negotiate the terms of their divorce.
The mediator does not represent either spouse, provide individualized legal advice or make decisions. Instead, the mediator facilitates communication, identifies unresolved issues and helps the parties work toward an agreement under the guidelines of New York State Marital laws.
Mediation will address all aspects of your divorce:
- Child custody and parenting schedules
- Child support
- Spousal maintenance
- Marital property and debt
- The marital home
- Retirement accounts and pensions
- Bank accounts, investments and other financial matters
Why Choose Divorce Mediation?
Mediation gives you and your spouse a structured, private setting to resolve your divorce cooperatively.
- Maintain control: You and your spouse make the decisions rather than leaving unresolved issues entirely to a judge.
- Work with one neutral mediator: The mediator facilitates discussions without representing either party.
- Protect privacy: Mediation provides a private environment for discussing family and financial concerns.
- Potentially reduce costs: Mediation can be substantially less expensive than prolonged contested litigation, although total costs vary by case.
- Move at your own pace: Sessions can often be scheduled around your availability, and the timeline depends on the complexity of your circumstances.
What Issues Can We Address?
Mediation can help couples develop agreements concerning:
- Parenting and Child Support
- Parents can address residential schedules, holidays, vacations, transportation, decision-making and child-related expenses.
- Spousal Maintenance
- Couples can discuss the amount, duration and other terms of spousal maintenance.
- Property, Debt and Retirement
- Mediation can address the marital home, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, debts, retirement accounts and pensions.
Mediation vs. Litigation
The primary difference is who makes the decisions.
With mediation, you and your spouse work toward an agreement with the assistance of a neutral mediator. With litigation, each spouse generally presents a position through an attorney, and a judge may decide issues the parties cannot resolve.
- Mediation
- You and your spouse participate in the decisions
- One neutral mediator facilitates the process
- Discussions focus on reaching agreement
- Sessions may be scheduled around your availability
- The process can be substantially less expensive than prolonged litigation
- Litigation
- Each spouse generally has their own attorney
- The process is adversarial
- Court proceedings may be required
- A judge may decide disputed issues
- Costs can increase as disputes continue
Mediation is not appropriate for every situation. Both spouses must be able to participate voluntarily and negotiate in good faith.
What Happens During Mediation?
The process generally includes:
- Initial consultation: We discuss your circumstances and explain the process.
- Identify the issues: We determine what must be resolved, including parenting, support, property and finances.
- Exchange information: The parties gather the information needed to make informed decisions.
- Negotiation: The spouses discuss priorities and work through disagreements with the mediator’s assistance.
- Agreement: Reached terms are documented for review and completion of the appropriate divorce paperwork.
- Independent legal review: Each spouse is encouraged to consult an independent attorney before signing an agreement.
Virtual Divorce Mediation
Virtual mediation is available for couples who prefer to participate remotely. It can be convenient when spouses live in different locations, have demanding schedules, have childcare responsibilities or want to avoid travel.
Ask whether virtual mediation is appropriate for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Take the Next Step
If you and your spouse are willing to communicate and work toward an agreement, divorce mediation may offer a more cooperative way to resolve the issues affecting your family and financial future.
Call Smart Divorce to schedule a consultation.
