Child Custody

Mediation in Rochester: Parenting Schedules

Creating a parenting schedule is one of the most crucial aspects of divorce mediation, ensuring both parents remain actively involved in their child’s life. A well-structured schedule provides stability, reduces conflict, and fosters healthy co-parenting. At Bates...

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Mediation in Rochester: Creating a Parenting Plan That Works

Divorce is challenging, especially when children are involved. One of the most important aspects of mediation in Rochester is developing a parenting plan that prioritizes your child’s well-being while meeting both parents’ needs. At Bates Family Law, we guide parents...

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Divorce Mediation Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What is divorce mediation? This is the most frequently asked question about divorce mediation. Divorce mediation is a collaborative approach to divorce where a neutral third party, the mediator, assists the couple in reaching mutually acceptable...

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The Power of Uncontested Divorce in Rochester

Divorce is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be a long, stressful, or expensive battle. For couples in Rochester area, an uncontested divorce offers a peaceful and cost-effective way to dissolve a marriage with mutual respect and cooperation.  Why Choose an...

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The Power of Divorce Mediation in Rochester

Divorce is a challenging and emotionally charged process that can leave couples feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their future. However, there is a powerful alternative to traditional divorce proceedings: divorce mediation. This collaborative and structured approach empowers couples to actively participate in the decision-making process, find mutually beneficial solutions, and preserve their relationships even in the face of dissolution. Below are a few of the compelling reasons why couples should choose divorce mediation as their preferred method of navigating this life transition.

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Grounds for Divorce

Divorce is a legal action that ends or dissolves a marriage. In New York State, you must have “grounds,” or a legally acceptable reason, for divorce.

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Divorce Mediation in Rochester: A Better Alternative to Litigation

Going through a major life event such as divorce is a significant and stressful experience. It’s not only emotionally devastating and can make you feel out of control, but the divorce process itself can be long, drawn-out and destructive to everyone involved, including your children. Divorce mediation offers a way to regain that sense of control, as well as many additional benefits when compared to a typical, lawyer-driven divorce. Follow the link to see the five biggest advantages to choosing divorce mediation.

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Divorce Mediation Myths in Rochester

Despite being a process that is quite possibly thousands of years old and been in use in its modern form for decades, mediation is still a mystery to many and often has many misconceptions associated with it. Divorce mediation is of course no different. Below are some of the most common divorce mediation myths debunked.

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How will our assets and debts be divided?

When couples marry, they merge their lives, and this most often involves a merging of finances and possessions as well. Therefore, it follows that upon dissolution of the marriage, all assets will need to be redistributed back to the two individuals and all debts will...

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If I move out, is that considered abandonment?

Defining Abandonment “Abandonment” is a term that often causes confusion and worry in the context of a divorce. It’s important to be clear on what constitutes abandonment if you are considering moving out of your marital home or if your spouse has left. In New York...

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Parental Alienation

When I first met Alison, I was a recently separated father experiencing parental alienation and was having limited access to my child despite my requests to the mother. Alison explained to me that what I was experiencing was not...

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What is the difference between custody and visitation?

Parents beginning the divorce process have many factors to consider when it comes to the future well-being of their child. Typically, both parents want to have as much time as possible with their child. It can be possible for divorcing spouses to work out arrangements...

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Confidence in the Face of Uncertainty

The following is a client-submitted testimonial... Alison helped me get my kids back in my life! I had an order of protection against me that didn’t allow me to see my kids for 3 months.  Due to covid, the courts were not taking these cases… it was torture.  Honestly,...

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Bates Family Law, P.C. • (585) 433-4661