ADR FOR DIVORCE IN LONG ISLAND

NOTE: Previously,  this post has a picture from photographer Marco Verch who used the 2.0 of the Creative Commons license for much of his work. 

As noted recently in NYLJ (Mediation in the Pandemic By Abby Tolchinsky and Ellie Wertheim | August 18, 2020) : "New York Supreme Courts are now instituting presumptive mediation programs for matrimonial mediation. This program has the potential to defray the pressure from the volume and backlog of court filings that have accrued since the March shutdown and also help parties who are in tremendous flux in their family life."

In Nassau and Suffolk County, the court website notes the following:

"10th Judicial District

Nassau County Family Court
The Nassau County Family Court offers free, on-site mediation for parties with parenting (custody/ visitation) and support disputes. Judges or Referees may refer parties to mediation or parties may request mediation. For more information, call 516-493-4000.

Nassau County Supreme Court offers several ADR Programs:

1. Nassau County's Matrimonial Center maintains a roster of parenting coordinators, mediators, and neutral evaluators.
2. Neutral Evaluation: After a preliminary conference or when deemed appropriate by the Judge, a case can be referred to a volunteer attorney who serves as a neutral evaluator. For more information, contact Mary Campbell at 516-493-3321.
3. Voluntary, binding arbitration and neutral evaluation are available for tort cases.
4. The Commercial Division offers a mediation program. The Judge may refer cases to mediation.

Suffolk County Supreme Court offers several ADR programs:

1. Divorce Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation: PROJECT CALM ("Civil Alternatives to Litigating in Matrimonials"):  Call 631-853-4333 to ask for a referral.
2. Mediation and Neutral Evaluation in Guardianship Cases:  Call the Model Guardianship Part for more information.
3. The Commercial Division offers a mediation program.
   The Judge may refer cases to mediation."