Divorce Mediation

A Round-Up of Recent Celebrity Divorces

Are you aware of the recent big celebrity divorces? After all, divorce isn’t just for everyday folks. Those we idolize in the entertainment industry, famous politicians, actors, singers, reality stars, and uber-billionaires get divorced too.

Indeed, it’s been reported that around 50 percent of all marriages will end in divorce or separation. Celebrities are people too, and under a lot of pressure and stress from everyday life and more from being under the microscope.

Sometimes marriages last just months and other times years and even decades. Whether a spouse was cheating or just fell out of love or due to financial strain, marriages end for all sorts of reasons. But the fact of the matter is, divorce for many Americans is prevalent (including those we idolize). So it can be comforting knowing that you’re not the only one going through the process.

Some notable recent celebrity divorces include the following:

After over 10 years after famous journalist Maria Shriver sought to end her then-25-year marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the once-governor of California and actor, a Los Angeles judge finally granted their divorce.
The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, divorced from hubby Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage. However, the duo maintained that they’d continue working together on their philanthropist venture at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
After almost 24 years, rapper icon and music producer Dr. Dre finalized his divorce with a $100 million settlement to Nicole Young.
The creator of the hit show ‘Gossip Girl’, Josh Schwartz, filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage. Schwartz is reportedly worth $70 million.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West had asked to be “legally single” as a form of separation from her ex partner, singer Kanye West. The pair married in May 2014 and have four children together.

The good news is there are qualified experts to assist you with any family law issue you have. You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re unhappy. Protect your assets, ensure you're fairly compensated, get full or partial custody of your children, and more. Put simply, end the pain and suffering and move forward with your life.

If you’re considering a divorce or a prenuptial agreement or have a child custody or child support issue or suffering from domestic violence, contact the Sabra Law Group in Manhattan at (646) 472-7971.

Did you know that Manhattan divorce rates are less than other states?

Did you know that Manhattan divorce rates are less than other states? Yes, that’s right, according to the U.S. Census Bureau government statistics. New Yorkers, it turns out, despite having stressful high-intensity jobs, tend to get divorced less. In fact, the New York divorce rate is even less than the national rate. By comparison, other big states such as Texas, are dubbed as statistically higher rates of divorce.

Still, New Yorkers do get divorced like in other states. Two high-profile Big Apple divorces included Bethany Frankel from “Real Housewives of New York City”, and actress Mary-Kate Olsen from “Full House.”

Some common reasons why people get divorced include: financial problems, infidelity, physical and emotional abuse, simply losing attraction over time or falling out of love, constantly arguing and disagreements, poor communication, less physical intimacy, not spending enough quality time together, not being on the same page about kids, sudden addictions, and more.

If you do end up getting a divorce or there may be the possibility to salvage the relationship "if only" there was a way to protect yourself financially, then it is critical that you choose a great family law attorney familiar with both divorce and prenuptial agreements in your area.

Find one that has both the skills and experience (and results) to service your needs. One with direct experience in the region you’re from and that you feel comfortable with. After all, family law can be very complicated and sensitive, and can have a huge lasting impact on your financial and family structure.

Thinking about getting a divorce in New York City, Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn, or nearby? Contact the Sabra Law Group in Manhattan at (646) 472-7971.

Manhattan Mediator Explains How to Determine if You Should Get Divorced

Does the tension in your marriage build every day? At night, you toss and turn, trying to decide if it's time to say goodbye.

Getting married was a momentous decision, and deciding to part is at least as critical. Here are some guidelines for how to determine if you should get divorced.

Look for the Warning Signs

Certain signs can tell you if it's time to end your marriage. One of them is the persistent feeling that you'd be better off alone. Perhaps you feel this way because your needs are no longer being met. When you got married, you viewed your relationship as a partnership. Each spouse was dedicated to fulfilling the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the other. When you feel that your needs are consistently going unmet, it may be time to seek a divorce.

Are You Staying in the Marriage Only for the Sake of the Children?

If you're looking for more evidence, then ask yourself if you're only staying together for the kids. Many parents fall into this trap, but that's precisely what it is. Staying in a toxic marriage isn't healthy for you or the kids. It's far better to go your own way and lead healthier, separate lives.

Consider Going to Counseling to Repair Your Marriage

What steps have you taken to try to repair your marriage? Many couples try counseling, and this can be successful. It's a good idea to give counseling a shot. Even if things don't work out, at least you'll know you gave it your best. If you've been through counseling and you're still miserable, then it's time to call it quits.
Recognize When it is Time to Leave a Bad Marriage

As a Manhattan mediator can tell you, it's time to leave a marriage when the partnership is seen as the lesser of two evils. Don't stay in a marriage just because you think it's the easier route. Divorce can cause considerable disruption, but it also gives you both the opportunity to build new, happier lives. You can even make choices, like opting for mediation over litigation, that makes the process less acrimonious.

Divorce Doesn’t Have to Be Negative

When you work with a Manhattan mediator, you'll learn that it is possible to make divorce a more positive process that can settle major issues more efficiently and privately. Couples who choose mediation are able to start creating their new lives sooner than those who choose to go to court.

Speak to a Manhattan Mediator to Determine the Best Route for Your Divorce

If you would like to speak with a Manhattan mediator to learn more about how to determine if you should get divorced, call the Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971.

How to Prepare for a Virtual Divorce Mediation in Manhattan

To keep the divorce process moving along, you have decided to use virtual divorce mediation services. This is a great idea for couples that are interested in finalizing their divorces as soon as possible but are still having trouble making final agreements.

Virtual divorce mediation is a great way to get everyone together at one time and manage the issues of the divorce. The mediation process will be managed just like an in-person meeting. The use of a virtual setting just helps people find times where they can all meet to discuss the issues while adhering to the local health requirements due to the pandemic.

How to Prepare for Virtual Divorce Mediation

When you attend a virtual divorce mediation meeting, you will need to have everything ready just as if you were meeting in person. All people are encouraged to:

Attend the meeting on time: One of the benefits of a virtual meeting is being able to get people together sooner because they can attend from a convenient location. Make sure you plan on showing up 10 minutes early to allow extra time for any tech issues.

Have all documents ready that have been requested: Have digital copies of these files so that they can be distributed during the meeting if necessary. Make sure that you make a folder on your computer that you can quickly and easily access. Also create sub-folders within this folder so you can categorize items according to what you will be discussing such as custody, child support, etc.

Remain involved in the meeting: A virtual meeting should be treated just like any other meeting. Your active participation is necessary for the virtual meeting to be a success.

Speak with Experienced Divorce Mediators

Divorce can be complex. This is especially true when neither party seems to want to agree with any terms of the divorce. When you need a fresh look at the divorce negotiations, it is recommended that you speak with a Manhattan divorce mediator. A mediator does not have an interest in either side of the issue, so they can provide an unbiased opinion on the issues that cannot be resolved.

Need Assistance with Divorce Mediation in Manhattan?

If you need to have mediation services so that you can conclude your divorce, contact Sabra Law Group. Our certified divorce mediators can help you bring your divorce to its conclusion so that you can begin to rebuild your new life. If you need to speak with a divorce mediator in Manhattan, call 646.472.7971 today.

A Manhattan Divorce Mediator Shares the Importance of Co-Parenting Effectively

When children are involved in a divorce, both parents need to come together to co-parent. Children need both of their parents, and it is essential to their well-being to have both parents actively participate in the co-parenting process. A Manhattan divorce mediator shares some tips below on how to co-parent more effectively.

How to Co-Parent More Effectively in New York

1. Have Open Communication: Communication is the key when it comes to co-parenting. It is so important to be open about what it is important to you when it comes to parenting. Have open discussions about what you want to incorporate into your children’s life. Have discussions about what types of extra-curricular activities you want your children to partake in. Talk about what morals and values you want to instill in your children. Discuss how your children will be disciplined if they misbehave.

2. You May Not Agree on Everything, but Respect is Important: When it comes to co-parenting, both parents may not always agree on every single thing but it is important to respect each other’s opinions.

3. Involve Your Children in Decisions That Impact Them: If your children are old enough to have a say in what’s important to them, make sure you talk to them to determine how you can both be better parents. Whether this means being more present in the moment or spending more time with your children.

4. Determine the Preferred Communication Method: Both parents need to determine if they prefer to communicate via email, text messaging or in person. If is also advisable to be cognizant if your ex-spouse is better at responding quicker via certain channels versus slower with others.

5. Show Grace: There may be times when your ex has had a rough day and may be a bit snippy. Instead of being snippy back, try to put yourself in their shoes and show some compassion. The more supportive of each other you can be the smoother the entire co-parenting process will go.

6. Be Willing to Pivot as Needed: New York City is still navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and depending on what industry your ex-spouse is in; it may impact their involvement when it comes to co-parenting. Be accommodating during this time if everything does not go as planned.

If you need assistance with divorce or co-parenting matters, contact Sabra Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.

You Have Decided to File for Divorce in New York But Now You Have to Tell the Children

You decided to put the divorce on hold for after the holidays and now that the New Year is here, you want to officially start the divorce process. One of the most difficult things that you will have to handle when it comes to divorce is how to tell the children about your divorce.

You will have to deal with breaking the news of divorce to the children sooner or later, so you and your spouse might as well start figuring out a plan now. It is best to tell the children together with your spouse.

Start with Telling the Oldest Children First

If you have children that are pre-teens or teens, then it is best to tell them sooner than later. This is because if you don’t tell them and they end up overhearing a conversation or end up finding some documents pertaining to the divorce, they will be upset that you kept it from them.

Even if they don’t overhear you or find some documents, teenagers can sense when something is off between their parents.

If you also have younger children, make sure you tell your teenage children to not say anything to them until you feel the time is right to break the news to them. However, don’t wait too long because it is not fair to your teenage children to have the burden of hiding the divorce news from their siblings.

If Your Children Are Closer in Age, You May Consider Breaking the News to Them Together

Ideally, this is the best way to break the news to your children, but you will have to assess what is best for your family situation. Breaking the news to your children all together will help them feel like you are treating all of them the same and not playing favoritism.

Telling Your Children One at a Time

If your children are varied in age and maturity level or have any disabilities, it may be best to take the one-to-one approach. By telling each child individually, it allows you to address their questions and concerns and it also allows you to tend to their emotional needs.

This is also helpful if you know that one child is way more emotional than the other. There is no point to disrupt the other child who may be calm and then they may end up being overly emotional because of their sibling.

Have You Decided to File for Divorce in New York?

Contact Sabra Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971 and start the divorce process.

Why Many Married Couples Put off Divorce During the Holidays but Are Now Moving Forward with Filing

January is traditionally known as “Divorce Month” because there is an increase in divorce filings and inquiries. People wait until January because they do not want to break the news of divorce to their spouse during the holidays. When there are children involved, it makes it exceptionally hard to split during the holidays because you will have to break the news of divorce to your children.

Many married couples may have actually decided that they wanted to get divorced before the holidays, but they just decided to wait until January to start the divorce process.

One of the main reasons that married couples put off divorce is due to the financial implications of divorce. Expenses are generally higher during the holidays.

It is also important to have a plan for how you are going to sustain yourself financially if you were to separate or get divorced from your spouse.

Some important financial considerations are:

•   Where will you live? How much will it cost you?
•   Do you have any savings apart from your joint account with your spouse?
•   What are your total monthly expenses?
•   Are you currently working right now, or do you need to find a job in order to split from your spouse?
•   How will the financial obligations for the children be handled? Who will pay for what?

It is also important to note that couples who have been dealing with a lot of financial stress due to pandemic related struggles such as unemployment, and slow business has caused many marriages to crumble.

The combination of quarantine and being isolated from friends and family has contributed to magnifying existing issues in a marriage.

Another reason why many married couples may have put off divorce is out of the concern and well-being of their children; however, when the marriage becomes more and more of a burden, it may be time to plan an exit strategy.

Even young children can sense when something is off with their parents…no matter how much your spouse irritates you, it is best to keep your cool in front of your children and save those heated discussions for when your children are not present.

Are You Ready to Move Forward with Filing for Divorce?

If you are ready to move forward with filing for divorce or need some guidance regarding divorce and family law matters, contact Sabra Law Group today for a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.

How to Have a Healthy and Harmonious Divorce

The first step to having a healthy and harmonious divorce is to determine if you are ready for divorce. Being ready for divorce involves being emotionally ready as well as preparedness.

When you are making the decision to divorce, it should be based on more than a one-off incident. Getting divorced is a major life decision and it should be treated with caution and consideration.

Below is a 5 Step Process You Can Follow to Have a Smooth Divorce

Consult a knowledgeable New York Divorce Attorney to determine what your rights are as well as your obligations. A family law attorney can guide you on how to best handle divorcing when children or assets are involved.
Change your passwords: it is essential to protect your privacy during this time and the best way to do this is to change your passwords to make sure your spouse doesn’t have access to your email, social media, individual bank or investment accounts, phone records, credit card bills, or voicemail. It is also important to be cognizant of video cameras at home that are normally used for home security purposes but can also be used to eavesdrop on your conversations if you are not careful. If you don’t have the privacy you need at home and are unable to go to your office because of the pandemic; opt for sitting in your car to have that private conversation with your best friend or attorney.
Start gathering important documents: gathering the necessary documents will make the whole divorce process go smoother and faster. You should start gathering your tax returns, bank account and retirement statements, credit card statements, and insurance policies. Additionally, if you have any joint real estate ventures, you should gather that information as well.
Be the better person: handle matters in a dignified and graceful manner. Divorce can instill anger and resentment, however; it is important to keep your composure and remember that how you act or react will also impact your children for years to come. Stay calm and choose your words and actions carefully.
Team up to be there for your children: if you have children, your children will have questions and concerns about the divorce. It is important to be there for your children as a team; both parents should be present in-person when breaking the news of divorce to children. Once you have collectively had a conversation with your children, then work on creating a parenting plan that has the best interest of your children.

Even if you have only started on this list, contact an attorney who has your and your family’s best interests in mind and to ensure that when the details are worked out, that the proper paperwork can be prepared and filed properly. An attorney at Sabra Law Group, PLLC will help you get started right away. We can be reached at (646) 472-7971.

There is a Way to Have a Simpler Divorce in New York

How long does it take to get divorced? If you follow celebrity gossip, then you may have the impression that getting divorced requires months, if not years, of legal wrangling.

At the end of the process, both parties are physically, emotionally, and financially exhausted.

Unfortunately, it's not only celebrities who get stuck in a seemingly endless and painful divorce process. It also happens to ordinary families.

This is always sad because it is possible to get a simpler divorce in New York. In fact, an easier divorce process is available to anyone, and it can be achieved through mediation.

It isn't necessary to be rich or perfect to take advantage of mediation. All that's needed is the right mindset.

This means focusing on the things that really matter. For you, that may be the well-being of your children or your own personal health. Perhaps you're choosing to turn your thoughts to a brighter future in a new city or with a new career or by furthering your education.

Whatever your priorities are, it's worthwhile to focus on these healthy, hopeful things rather than looking back at the past and staying mired in the disagreements and arguments of yesterday.

This gives you all of the incentive that you need to enter mediation with the right mindset. When your focus is on your family's well-being and the future, you'll find that you're more willing to compromise, negotiate, and get creative when it comes to settling your divorce.

Accordingly, you'll be less likely to insist on litigation or asking a judge to decide important, private matters on your behalf. This is the key to having a simpler divorce in New York. You will not only forego numerous court dates, each of which may be scheduled months apart but also have a personal hand in critical decisions relating to child custody and support as well as the division of assets.

Moreover, mediation is the far less expensive way to approach divorce. With fewer court dates, fewer court filings, and less time spent with an attorney, more of your family's assets will remain intact so that you can use them to improve your future.

With all of these positive things to recommend it, why wouldn't you choose to mediate your divorce?

If you would like to learn more about how to get a simpler divorce in New York, contact the Sabra Law Group at 646-472-7971.

Why Keeping Your Divorce Out of Court Can Save You Time and Money

Too frequently, people assume that the only way to complete divorce proceedings is in court. They envision numerous court dates in which all the details of their divorce are argued over and decided.

This perception may prevail in divorces that are relatively amicable and in those that are filled with animosity. However, court proceedings don't have to be the order of the day when a couple is looking to go their separate ways.

Mediation is a much more cost-effective and efficient manner to end a marriage. Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to have a judge make critical decisions for your family. You and your former partner have the power to make these decisions, and that tends to lead to better solutions for the entire family.

Through mediation, it's possible to negotiate all facets of your divorce. This even includes the hot-button issues like child custody, child support and alimony. The division of property and assets also can be decided out of court without a judge ever having to make a decree.

When you and your former partner agree to mediate instead of litigate, you are potentially saving yourselves tens of thousands of dollars. This is not only because legal services in courtroom divorce proceedings are expensive but also because court filings and court dates cost money as well.

Moreover, when you litigate a divorce, many of the proceedings happen on the court's schedule. It's probably not surprising to hear that court dockets are pretty crowded, and that judges sometimes take vacations. All of this means that it could be months or even a year or two before the court can get around to hearing your divorce.

It's also worth noting that one court appearance may not be enough to settle the issues in your divorce. This means that you'll have to schedule a later court date. How many months down the road will that be?

When you resolve to keep your divorce out of court, you are making a decision that's healthy and financially responsible for the whole family. Mediation may enable your divorce to be settled within just a few weeks or months and at far less expense than court proceedings. The outcome is that you get to move forward with your new life sooner.

If you want to save time and money by keeping your divorce out of court, then contact the Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971.

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