Guest blog by Shawn Kennedy Cribari
We all know what a primary care physician is. What is a primary care divorce lawyer?
I have been married for 44 years to an unusual New York divorce and family law attorney. (I’ll spare you the jokes about him not believing in his own product.) He and I were musing the other day, trying to come up with a label that defines his distinctive philosophy and practice.
“You’re the guy people go to when they want to avoid the courtroom, if at all possible. You’re all about preventing unnecessary suffering and expense,” I said. “It’s like going to a doctor who advises against unnecessary surgery.”
Hence, the term “primary care divorce lawyer.”
Arnold Cribari works in an array of out-of-court divorce settlement processes:
• Mediation
• Collaborative Divorce
• Settlement negotiation via legal action
• A hybrid of some or all of the above
With 45 years’ experience in New York divorce law, he can zero in on the best strategy for a new client during or shortly after the first consultation.
Often, when someone is in the initial throes of a divorce, “getting my day in court,” seems like it will be a cathartic and satisfying experience. Given the limitations of the court system, however, catharsis and satisfaction are rare outcomes. One excellent judge has described his decisions in divorce cases as “social engineering with a meat axe.”
Certainly, just as surgery is necessary to cure or mitigate specific illnesses, litigation in court is necessary in some divorces. Before you decide to go the courtroom route in your divorce, however, consult with a primary care divorce attorney. You might be able to save yourself some unnecessary anguish and expense.
