The arbitrator conducts a day-long hearing at which both parties present their respective cases. At the conclusion of the arbitration hearing the arbitrator will issue an award in favor one party, which will be binding, unless one of the parties requests a trial de novo.
In a divorce, you and your ex-spouse may have possessions and household furnishing to divide. A trained arbitrator conducts an arbitration hearing with the two disputing parties and, based on the facts and evidence presented, renders a legally binding award.
During arbitration, you and your spouse will each state your cases, with or without legal representatives, along with evidence to support your argument. The panel of judges will listen to both sides and decide things such as asset division, spousal support, child custody and child support.
Mediation does not impose a solution and it is not binding until the parties reach and sign a settlement agreement. If a settlement cannot be reached, the parties are welcome to continue with the arbitration process. Unlike an arbitrator, a mediator has no power to decide a dispute.
The divorce process begins with the filing of a "Summons with Notice" or a "Summons and Complaint." These documents are filed with the Nassau County Clerk's Office.
FILING FOR DIVORCE If you are pursuing a divorce in Nassau County, that location is the Nassau County Clerk's office within their regular hours of operation.
STEP 1: Filing A divorce case is started when a "Summons With Notice" or "Summons and Complaint" are filed with the County Clerk's Office.
If everything is agreed upon upfront between you and your spouse, an uncontested divorce could be finalized within 3 to 6 months. However, if there are disputes over things like property, finances, or child custody, your divorce could easily drag the process out for over a year.