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Stephanie F. Lehman, Esq.
250 Park Avenue
New York,
New York
10177
Phone: 212-297-2665
Fax: 212-672-1149
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Areas of expertise:
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Litigation (Trial and Appellate Levels)
- Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
- Maintenance (Spousal Support)
- Child Support
- Support Enforcement
- Child Custody
- Parenting Plans (Visitation)
- Relocation
- Sibling and Grandparents Rights
- Property Distribution
- Agreements (Separation, Settlement, Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Modification)
- Family Court proceedings and Supreme Court proceedings
- Adoption
- Same Sex Marriage
Stephanie F. Lehman has received substantial training in mediation and strongly endorses mediation for couples considering divorce.
Divorce mediation is an alternative to traditional litigation. A mediator is a neutral third party who acknowledges the emotional and practical concerns of divorce, while helping to negotiate an out-of-court resolution between the husband and wife. Because the mediator remains neutral between the husband and the wife, the mediator can neither give advice to either party nor act as a lawyer for either party. In cases where children are involved, mediation minimizes the emotional burdens commonly associated with divorce. Through mediation a couple can resolve: the division of property; maintenance (spousal support); child support; custody and parenting arrangements; health insurance coverage and health care expenses; life insurance coverage; repayment of debts and liabilities; and the dissolution of the marriage.
Other benefits to mediation:
- The process is more time and cost efficient than litigation.
- Couples do not need to disclose sensitive financial and personal matters in open-court.
- Special attention can be given to ensure that the children’s emotional and financial needs are met.
- The process reduces the level of anxiety that can be caused by litigation.
- The couple works together to reach an agreement that is in their best interests without any need for court intervention.
- The couple retains control of the settlement process.
- The couple does not function as adversaries.
How does mediation work?
- After the parties agree to participate in the mediation process they will be asked to jointly complete a Statement of Net Worth (i.e., a financial disclosure statement, budget and expenses itemization).
- Through a series of structured meetings the parties, with Ms. Lehman, will explore their marital issues and collaborate with one another to reach an out-of-court settlement.
- If assets are required to be valued, the appropriate neutral experts will be retained.
- Ms. Lehman will be available to answer questions relating to the law.
- Once the parties reach an agreement, Ms. Lehman will draft the final settlement agreement and divorce papers.
- Because Ms. Lehman does not represent the parties in the divorce, after an agreement is reached, the parties must obtain independent counsel to assure that the agreement reached is fair. Ms. Lehman can recommend unaffiliated matrimonial attorneys to act as independent counsel.
- At any stage in the process, either spouse can opt to withdraw from the mediation. If a spouse withdraws, each spouse may obtain his or her own counsel in connection with any subsequent divorce proceedings.
Ms. Lehman works in tangent with referring therapists and provides referrals to experienced child, family and individual therapists who specialize in emotional issues resulting from divorce.
About Attorney Stephanie F. Lehman
Education
Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
Juris Doctor, 1996
Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, 1993
Bar Admission
December 1996, New Jersey
January 1997, New York
Biography
Stephanie F. Lehman has practiced exclusively in the area of matrimonial law for her entire legal career. Prior to joining Wolf Block, Ms. Lehman was associated with other New York City matrimonial practices including Cohen Goldstein & Silpe, LLP and Katsky Korins LLP, and was partner and co-founder of Lehman Sullivan LLP. Ms. Lehman was also a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Joseph C. Cassini, III of the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, County of Essex. Throughout her career, Ms. Lehman has gained extensive experience representing high net worth individuals and celebrities in complex, matrimonial, custodial and family matters at both the trial and appellate levels. She has also resolved matrimonial and family matters through mediation and has negotiated settlements.
Ms. Lehman is a certified mediator and a member of the New York State Bar Association, Family Law Section and the New York City Bar Association, Family Law Section.
Please email us or visit our website for additional information.
