Additional Legal Services

Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements can be very helpful to define financial expectations and to create a more harmonious marriage.

Prenuptial Agreements may make sense for you and your fiancé if:

One or both of you have children. It can protect the financial and inheritance rights of any children or grandchildren from a previous marriage.
You have a professional practice or family business. It can protect your business so that in the event of a divorce, the business is not divided or subject to joint control.
Your intended spouse has substantial debt or a weak financial background; your prenuptial agreement will help to maintain your financial stability if a divorce were to happen.
You are entering a second marriage and/or you have substantial wealth.

I can prepare a prenuptial agreement for you independently, review one prepared on behalf of your fiancé, or prepare one collaboratively with you, your fiancé, and your fiancé’s attorney. I will help you understand how marriage will affect your assets, and see that the agreement reached is fair and in accord with the laws of New York.

Consulting/Review Attorney

The mediation process allows you and your spouse to tailor a settlement to your own unique needs, rather than have a third party make decisions on your behalf. While in this process, questions may arise about relevant law and the legal and practical impact of proposals for settlement. Having independent counsel experienced in the mediation process can help you feel empowered in decision-making.

As your consulting attorney, I will help assess your situation, explain the law as it pertains to you, provide advice, and answer specific questions. The consulting attorney advocates for their client while supporting the mediation process.

I meet with clients before or during the process to give you my opinion of how the law would apply to your matter and provide suggestions as to what you may ask for in mediation, or even how you can raise certain issues to your best advantage. Some parties wait until the mediation is completed and they have a draft Separation Agreement before they consult with an attorney. Other people need much more support during their mediation process and I can be available on an as-needed basis.

3 Reasons You Need A Consulting Attorney:

The consulting attorney can give you specific legal advice
The consulting attorney can coach you
The consulting attorney can provide invaluable document review

Name Changes

In the State of New York, you have the right to legally change your name, however, the proper procedure must be followed for the law to recognize your new name. An application must be made to the court and information provided including a reasonable justification for the request. If the request is approved, the court will issue an order reflecting your new name. You must then publish the order in a local newspaper. The first step in changing your name is to consult with an experienced attorney. At Fitzgerald Mediation PLLC, we are dedicated to helping you through the New York name change process.

Uncontested Divorce

In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree how to resolve all issues related to the terms of the divorce. At Fitzgerald Mediation, PLLC we can draft the Separation Agreement and complex court forms and supporting documents for your divorce.

We can assist with:

Preparing a Separation Agreement
Turning a mediated agreement into a Separation Agreement
Obtaining a Judgment of Divorce
Preparing and filing all divorce paperwork and obtaining a Judgment of Divorce