Divorce Mediation and a Review Attorney

Sometimes at the conclusion of divorce mediation one or both of the parties may decide to have another attorney review and advise regarding the draft agreement under consideration. A review attorney is to be distinguished from a “consulting attorney.” The consulting attorney supports you throughout the negotiation process and can be likened to having a coach in your corner. The review attorney comes in at the end to essentially assure you that you have not missed anything and that the draft agreement is properly drawn up.

Probably the greatest benefit to hiring a review attorney is that you are saving money since the consulting attorney will be advising and billing you as the negotiations proceed. Many clients don’t hire either a consulting attorney or a review attorney as they may feel the mediator, particularly if he/she is an attorney, appears unbiased and proficient in the law. Ultimately, you have to make that decision. You may feel a consulting attorney makes sense because you can ask candid questions confidentially. Or you may conclude a review attorney is sufficient as you are most concerned with having a second pair of eyes give the draft a close read.

In addition to acting as a mediator, our office can also act as a review or consulting attorney.

If you wish to schedule an initial consultation please contact me at 212-605-0435 or 516-280-3123.