Find Lawyers in Florida, United States for Family Law Arbitration
Practice Area Overview
Family law arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution. Parties can mutually agree to utilize a private arbiter to make binding, enforceable decisions related to outstanding disputes. In general, arbitration is governed by the Uniform Arbitration Act, C.R.S. 13-22-201 through C.R.S. 13-22-230. Colorado has a separate statute for arbitration related to child custody issues, found at C.R.S. 14-10-128.5. Arbitration cannot be forced upon the parties; it requires the parties' consent.
Unlike mediation, the process of arbitration puts the ultimate resolution of a dispute in the control of a neutral third party. The structure of arbitration may vary depending on the arbiter. Generally, arbitration is more relaxed and flexible than a hearing or trial before the court. Typically, the arbiter conducts a proceeding with the presentation of evidence, witnesses, and arguments. The arbiter is then charged with issuing a written ruling. In some instances, if the parties and arbiter agree it is appropriate, an issue can be resolved without an actual hearing, and simply through submission of written argument and evidence to the arbiter.
Private arbiters can provide parties to family law disputes prompt resolution, which is a major benefit with the crowded family law dockets in Colorado courts. Overall, arbiters are more readily available than judicial officers for telephone conferences during the course of a case. Other benefits to private arbitration include: more personalized case management, deadlines tailored to the specific needs of the case/issue, a more confidential environment than a public courthouse, and a modified implementation of rules to allow for the efficient presentation of information. While arbiters are privately paid, many parties find the procedure of arbitration to be cost-effective, as opposed to the lengthy and formal process of judicial proceedings.
After an arbiter issues an arbitration award, either party can ask the arbiter to modify or clarify the award, or object to the award. C.R.S. 13-22-220. A party may also ask the court to vacate an arbitration award if that party believes the award is improper. C.R.S. 13-22-223-224. Similarly, either party may ask the Court to affirm an arbitration award. C.R.S. 13-22-222. Arbitration has specific procedural deadlines for post-arbitration awards, so it is important to refer to the appropriate statute.
Caryn has limited her practice exclusively to Marital and Family Law since her admission to the Florida Bar in 1996. Caryn promotes problem solving by utilizing appropriate dispute resolution methods designed to avoid expensive litigation, whenever possible. Caryn, a partner at West, Green & Associates, P.L., brings over 19 years of Family Law experience to the firm and is board certified by the Florida Bar, a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is A/V r...
Raleigh “Lee” Greene, though born in Gainesville (the Swamp), is a 3rd generation native of St. Petersburg. He attended UF receiving his degree in economics (1970), his J.D. (1973), was an active member of Florida Blue Key and, many years later, was selected as a “Gator Great” in 2016 by the UF alumni association. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1973 and a member of the D.C. Bar since 1986. He served as a JAG officer with the US Navy Reserve, having recei...
Dolly Hernandez, Partner at Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli, P.L., focuses her practice on complex marital and family law cases. Ms. Hernandez represents high-net-worth individuals in matters that include dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, parenting and time-share issues, child abduction actions, defense of third parties joined in dissolution of marriage proceedings, paternity, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements. Prior to joining the ...
Abbey Kaplan is a seasoned trial lawyer known for taking on complex cases and crafting creative strategies for tackling the most complicated legal issues in commercial litigation and business tort cases. A Founding Member of Kluger Kaplan, Abbey has extensive experience handling partnership and corporate breakups, real estate development disputes including banking and broker controversies, professional liability disputes, corporate finance issues, contract disputes and intellectual property. ...
Attorney Chris Lombardo has almost four decades of experience practicing law in Florida. He serves clients in marital and family law matters in Collier County and surrounding areas. Additionally, he provides legal services in civil litigation, commercial litigation, contracts, appellate law and personal injury law. Chris received his Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. Chis is a Certified Financial Litigator (CFL™) and a Founding Member of the American Academy for Certified F...
Alison C. Weinger is the President of Conflict Management Solutions Inc. and has successfully mediated over five thousand (5,000) civil and family cases. Alison has had a full-time mediation practice for over 30 years, focusing primarily on family matters as well as family business disputes. She is Florida Supreme Court Certified in Circuit Court and Family law mediation. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (BA 1977) and the University of Miami Law School (JD 1980). She t...
Jeffrey A. Weissman is a Principal/Shareholder of the law firm of Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1994). Mr. Weissman is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law and is AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale- Hubbell. He is a Fellow in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is also a Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and is formally trained in Collaborative Law. Mr. Weissman was agai...
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