Family Arbitration

Arbitration is a process whereby parties refer their family dispute to an experienced and knowledgeable neutral attorney –an arbitrator. They will hear arguments, review evidence, and render a decision regarding disputes. You are bound by the arbitrator’s decision, not unlike a judge’s decision.

Arbitration is less formal, less complex, and often concluded more quickly than court proceedings. The purpose of arbitration is to provide an informal process for resolving family cases in an economic and expeditious manner.

Some family disputes, by their very nature, can only be settled by litigation. The majority, however, can be settled by arbitration, with significant benefits to the parties. With arbitration, you and the party whom you are in dispute choose your arbitrator on the basis of his or her expertise and experience in your field.

Arbitration is faster; disputes settled in family court can often take many months or years. With arbitration, these same disputes can be settled in weeks. Family Courts are public forums and information about your business and personal affairs becomes public knowledge – available to others you might not wish to have such information. Arbitration proceedings, however, are conducted in private – and only made public with the consent of both parties in dispute.

Arbitration is significantly less costly than litigation. It can make a difference of many thousands of dollars to the parties in dispute.

Arbitrator’s hourly rates vary based on the individual, their expertise and experience. Their rates are addressed in their profiles.

What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?

The mediator does not make a decision for the parties but assists them to find solutions to their conflict. Arbitration involves adjudication by a neutral third party. The arbitrator is governed by the Arbitration Act.

Please click on the link for our basic intake: family arbitration