Creativity is King for professional practices in today’s virtual world.
For the legal profession, including divorce and family law attorneys and mediators, out of court settlement is essentially the only game in town, unless the client has what the New York courts consider to be an emergency. Most divorce cases that do not involve serious domestic violence are not considered to be emergencies.
Out of court settlements include collaborative divorces, divorce mediations, and kitchen table divorces, in which the couple negotiates their own deal and a lawyer drafts the settlement agreement. Once the agreement is drafted and fine-tuned, either by teleconference (Zoom), email or telephone, then the final agreement can be notarized remotely.
In New York State at this time, remote notarization via teleconference is legal. And, remote processes like remote notarization enable important things, like the signing of binding legal documents, to get done.
Negotiations via Zoom are rapidly becoming popular, and I predict that they will remain so after the coronavirus crisis is over. Ground rules for negotiations by teleconference protect confidentiality, keep the negotiations productive and prevent interruptions and possible abuses.
I also predict that the cost of family law services will substantially decrease, not only for now but for the future.
Why is that?
Lawyers, who — as a group — have a reputation for being resistant to change, have been forced to become technologically savvy. The use of technology can substantially reduce overhead expenses. This has happened in my divorce and mediation practice, in which my need for secretarial help has substantially declined, and I can work more from home, thereby reducing overhead expenses. Although I do not plan to give up my White Plains law office for the foreseeable future, in a few years I can foresee doing so, thereby saving a substantial overhead expense for office rent.
Coronavirus is a great tragedy. I, for one, have recently lost a friend who was in my class from second grade through high school, and who was stricken by the virus. I’m sure many of you have suffered similar painful losses. If so, you have my deepest sympathy.
Please do not hesitate to give me a call if you think I may be able to help you. My office number is (914) 949-1095 and my mobile number is (914) 260-5806.
© 2020 Arnold D. Cribari
