There are many amazing reasons to live in the small towns that make up Westchester. We all love the comfort of knowing our neighbors, local store owners, children’s teachers and the mail man. But along with this comfort comes the not so popular reality that we often lack privacy. Everyone seems to know our business. And nowhere is there more room for gossip than when it comes to divorce. Local divorces are a topic that our neighbors relish talking and knowing about.
Most people don’t realize that at the end of a litigated divorce, everything that came out during the divorce becomes public record. There is a written transcript of what happened in court — the financial, emotional and intimate details of your relationship. There are also a myriad of other related documents containing information about financial statements, debts, and accusations of cheating or addictions.
On the other hand, when you mediate your divorce, the private business of your divorce remains private because nothing is entered into the public record. There are no court proceedings and no personal or confidential documents are provided to the court. The only document that is filed is the marital settlement agreement which sets forth the final details agreed to by both parties. Everything else remains confidential.
Most of my divorce clients express the strong desire to keep their finances and intimate details private and I am happy and confident to assure them that, with mediation, their personal information is safe and protected.
