Areas of Practice
Nothing is more important or personal than issues regarding your family. Decisions about separation, divorce, legal custody, child access and visitation, division of property, child support and alimony made now will affect you and all members of your family for years to come.
Each family situation is unique. Mr. Baum works with each client individually to fashion the best dispute resolution plan.
Mr. Baum has the breadth and depth of experience that makes him an effective alternative dispute resolution neutral or fierce litigation advocate. He also offers facilitation for intra- or inter-family disputes. Unlike many ADR practitioners, Mr. Baum has practiced in several areas of the law, and brings his varied experiences to the table. As detailed in his biography, he has both a family and business law background, brining a business perspective to family law issues but also empathy and understanding to issues involving your family.
SERVING AS A TRAINED NEUTRAL: MEDIATION AND PARENT COORDINATING FOR COUPLES/GROUP FACILITATION FOR FAMILIES:
Oftentimes couples know the process they want and seek out Mr. Baum's mediation skills. Mr. Baum is one of the foremost mediators in the area and has helped numerous couples—married, unmarried, straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, with and without children, to achieve the best “win-win” outcome possible.
After the parties have separated, Mr. Baum can also serve as a parent coordinator. Parent coordination is a type of mediation. As a Parent Coordinator, Mr. Baum addresses issues involving children and assist and guide parents in improving their communication skills so that they can better co-parent. If agreed to by the parties, Mr. Baum acts as a “tie-breaker” for parents who are deadlocked.
Mr. Baum can also serve as a facilitator for intra- and inter-family disputes. These may involve grandparent visitation, elder care issues, sibling disputes, families dealing with gay, lesbian and transgender issues and adoption issues. Unlike divorce mediation, family facilitation may involve several family and non-family members.
Recognizing that couples and families who are looking for dispute resolution help are oftentimes under great stress, Mr. Baum will work to see you as quickly as possible, at times that are convenient for you.
REPRESENTING INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS: COLLABORATIVE LAW AND LITIGATION
Many individuals come to Mr. Baum seeking his legal advice. What distinguishes Mr. Baum from other family law attorneys is his ability to bring the broadest experience to each situation. He is very mindful that dispute resolution, particularly through litigation, can destroy any semblance of family and wipe out family finances. His goal is to help you through the restructuring of your family, whether separation, divorce or other family matters, in the manner that will be best for you emotionally and financially.
Another form of individual representation is Collaborative Law. This new form of dispute resolution involves the best of both worlds—the cooperative spirit of mediation with the individual representation of litigation. In Collaborative Law, Mr. Baum (your “divorce coach”) is by your side and in your corner throughout the entire negotiation process.
Mr. Baum will explore with you whether mediation, arbitration, collaborative law or litigation services will best resolve your situation in a cost effective and efficient manner. He is skilled and experienced in each of these areas, and can go into depth with you about the pros and cons of each. The most important factor is how to achieve an outcome that will meet your needs and goals. If you have children, then he will also consider how to achieve an outcome that is in their best interest.
