Glendale, Arizona, only nine miles from Downtown Phoenix, has much to recommend it to visitors and residents alike. Its weather is never cold and its scenery is an extraordinary combination of the natural beauty of mountains and deserts. The plants and animals Glendale’s residents take for granted are exotic to most Americans. There is much to see and do in Glendale, including Wildlife World Zoo. the Arizona Doll & Toy Museum, and several amazing parks, notably Adobe Mountain Desert Park and White Tank Mountain Regional Park, each full of excellent hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Adobe Mountain Desert Park is also known as “The Railroad Park” since it houses the Sahuaro Central Railroad Heritage Preservation Society, and the Sahuaro Central Railroad Museum, both laden with a fascinating history. Unfortunately, as we all know, no matter how idyllic a city or community may appear, there are always reasons for discomfort, disturbance, and dispute, even within individual family units. If you live in Glendale, Arizona and your family is going through serious trouble, don’t hesitate to contact Cohen Family Law in Phoenix. Our lead family law lawyer Glendale, Mitchell E. Cohen, is not only an accomplished professional but an empathic, sensitive person, ready to help you in any way he can.
Glendale Family Law Practice Areas
Mitchell E. Cohen has well-developed skills in dealing with many specific legal areas that affect families, including:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Division of property
- Divorce
- Domestic violence
- Fathers’ rights
- Mediation
- Parenting time and visitation
- Paternity
- Stepparent adoptions
Each of these areas is complex in its own right. When many of these legal matters have to be dealt with simultaneously, the task may seem insurmountable, particularly because each area is likely to involve a high level of stress. At Cohen Family Law, we are tuned in to the fact that these issues, even (or maybe especially) when they are explosive, must be handled delicately. The goal is to inflict less pain and do the least possible damage, particularly in cases involving children. This is where mediation comes into play since the very concept revolves around reconciliation and compromise.
Family Law Lawyer Glendale, AZ
If you are seeking a well-trained mediator with extensive legal knowledge in Glendale, Arizona, you needn’t look very far. Mitchell Cohen, in nearby Phoenix, is waiting for your call. He is well-respected for his in-depth legal knowledge and his courtroom skills. Unlike many successful attorneys, however, he also has a reputation for diplomacy and negotiation that stands him in good stead when it comes to matters of mediation. We are so convinced that you will be impressed with his competence and compassion that your initial consultation will be free of cost.
Why Many Glendale, Arizona Couples Prefer Mediation to Litigation
Many families have only had dealings with the justice system at times of crisis and so associate judicial proceedings with turmoil and pain; many others have had no dealings with the courts at all. In either case, most people harbor feelings of trepidation when they think of entering a courtroom and dealing with a judge and an aggressive opposing attorney. For some, litigation is frightening enough for them to postpone the inevitable, necessary actions surrounding separation or divorce. If you find yourself reluctant to take legal action because you fear a difficult, prolonged process, it is important for you to be aware of the less threatening, less public, option of mediation. Mediation provides the two disputing spouses with a trained third party who has no stake in the process but to help them avoid conflict and work toward peaceful resolution. When that third party is a competent attorney, the couple has the advantage of knowing that any proposals made and/or approved by the mediator will be acceptable in any legal documents that require filing.
How the Mediation Process Works
Mediation is used to resolve all the complicated issues surrounding separation and divorce, including, but not limited to, division of property, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and visitation/parenting time. As noted, there are several advantages to mediation: it is less adversarial, less stressful, and typically produces results that are mutually beneficial to both parties. Because the mediating attorney is working for the family as a whole, rather than for only one of the spouses, he or she guides the process toward decisions the entire family will feel most comfortable with. Rather than trying to “win” the case so that one spouse comes out ahead of the other financially or in other ways, the mediator remains focused on maintaining everyone’s emotional stability. Because the goal is to reduce tension, the mediator helps the separating spouses focus on present decisions rather than past resentments. In most cases, couples who go through mediation end up more satisfied with the final agreements.
When Litigation May Be Necessary
In certain circumstances, divorce mediation is not a viable alternative. When an overabundance of rage, irrationality, or even potential violence is apparent, and certainly in cases that have already featured domestic abuse, it is important to keep the couples apart during negotiations as much as possible. In such cases, each spouse needs a separate attorney. Another instance in which mediation may not be workable is when one of the spouses is a substance abuser or suffers from a psychiatric illness, and therefore may be prone to erratic behavior.
Lessen the Stress with Mediation in Glendale
If you are entangled in the messy, painful process of separation and/or divorce in Arizona, you should seriously consider coming to Cohen Family Law for Mediation. Though not possible in all cases, in many situations mediation may be the least combative, least distressing action for your you and your family. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mitchell E. Cohen, whose skills as a negotiator are superlative. Our office can be reached by phone or by filling out the form on our website.
Cohen Family Law helps his clients with family law matters throughout Phoenix including the areas of Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Laveen, Gilbert, Chandler, and Mesa.
