Mara Bernstein
Mara Bernstein Offers Private, Out-Of-Court Solutions To Marital And Family Law Issues
After years as a New York City divorce litigator representing high-net-worth individuals, Mara Bernstein had an epiphany: Divorce is difficult, but it does not have to be devastating. This led her to add collaborative divorce and divorce mediation to her practice.
Of course, there are many cases that simply demand litigation. In these cases, Bernstein and her colleague Barry Finkel use their combined 65 years of experience to advocate for their clients. But, for those clients who want control over their divorce, privacy over their finances and a customized parenting schedule that protects and shields their children from adversarial litigation, there are options. Collaborative divorce is one of them.
Unlike litigation, which relies on a judge to determine the outcome and timing of a case, collaborative divorce allows clients to control the outcome as well as the scheduling of the process without court involvement.
“How you divorce or resolve your family law matter makes an enormous difference in what your future will look like,” says Bernstein.
Each client is represented by their own divorce attorney who is trained in collaborative divorce as well as a neutral forensic accountant and a facilitator who help with conflict resolution and parenting issues. Studies have shown that collaborative divorce is often less expensive, takes a lot less time than litigation and, from Bernstein’s experience, results in greater client satisfaction.
Bernstein, who has a bachelor’s in social work from Cornell University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School, has practiced family law since 1989. She is admitted to the New York and Florida bars and is a member of the International and Florida Associations of Collaborative Professionals, South Palm Beach County Collaborative Law Group, Florida Bar Association, South County Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association.
She also is a divorce mediator and advises clients on pre- and postnuptial agreements, child custody, alimony and modification matters.
“We handle all legal aspects relating to marriage and divorce with the ultimate goal of bringing our clients to a better place than when they first come in to see us,” she says.
The Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel, PA, is located at 3010 N. Military Trail, Ste. 210, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-910-1870 or visit bfinkelpa.com or choosecollaborative.com.
Wonder Women Special Advertising Section