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Dolores D. Walker, L.C.S.W., J.D. -- Law and Mediation Services
119 Washington Place, Suite C
New York,
New York
10014
Phone: 212-691-6073
Fax: 212-414-8603
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- Mediator - New York Divorce, Family, and Business Mediation
- Attorney
- Psychotherapist
- Divorce Mediation Coach
Save Time, Money and Emotional Energy with a Mediated Separation or Divorce
FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
Find out about the mediation process and how it will help you to work out an agreement for your unique situation.
Dolores Deane Walker is an experienced New York divorce, family, and business mediator and divorce mediation coach who works with traditional and non-traditional families. She also leads workshops about the emotional and legal aspects of family and divorce mediation. She is the co-author of "The Divorce Mediation Answer Book” (Publisher: Kodansha; Distributor: Oxford University Press). An attorney and psychotherapist, she has been a mediator and divorce mediation coach since 1991. She helps guide couples and individuals to a fair outcome at a time of difficult transition.
Professional Memberships and Accreditation:
Previously Director of Negotiations for a New York City mayoral agency, Dolores is an Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution (formerly AFM), an Accredited Member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, a former Board Member of the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, and a member of the Family Section of the New York State Bar Assn., the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work, NASW, and the Assn. of the Bar of the City of NY. She is admitted to the New York State Bar and to the Federal District Court: E.D. and S.D., and the U.S. Supreme Court. A former resident of Texas, Oklahoma and Michigan, she has been in practice as a mediator in New York City since 1991.
Mediator's Role:
As your mediator, I provide a safe, neutral, and structured environment. I help you work through emotional concerns and legal options so that you can create an agreement that is uniquely applicable to your situation.
I encourage cooperation, help each of you to communicate your needs, and keep the mediation session focused. I remain neutral throughout the process and serve as your guide. As an attorney and a psychotherapist, when appropriate, I am able to provide information about both the law and about the emotional needs of your children.
After mediation is complete, if appropriate, since I am an attorney/mediator, I can draft your Agreement. The Separation Agreement is a contract that defines all of your financial and parenting arrangements. You will need the Separation Agreement when you file for divorce.
Advantages to Mediation:
In mediation, you are able to work out your own unique agreement, avoiding litigation and many hours with two attorneys. Of course, during mediation, you may consult with individual attorneys if you choose to do so. As you are in control of the process, mediation is cost and time-efficient. You decide how quickly to proceed and can control the total cost. Mediation provides a safe, neutral, structured setting in which to solve your parenting and financial arrangements. It reassures your children that you can continue working together for their benefit.
Decisions in Mediation:
Some of the decisions you will make include financial and parenting arrangements, access to records, allocation of assets, responsibility for support, debts, medical and life insurance, and taxes (refunds, penalties, exemptions, status and credits).
Separation Agreement:
Since I am an attorney/mediator, when you have completed mediation, when appropriate, I can provide you with the formalized final Separation Agreement. I always recommend that each party review the draft Agreement with separate independent review attorneys before signing. (See Articles: What Is the Difference Between a Separation Agreement and a Memorandum of Agreement? and The Role of New York Attorneys in Divorce Mediation.)
If you want a no-fault divorce, provided that you live apart for a year after signing your Separation Agreement, you will be able to file for a "no-fault" divorce. This is the only no-fault ground available in New York State. See Article: Grounds for Divorce - New York
Please email us for additional information.
