Divorce is difficult. Swaden Law Office is sensitive to your needs and will provide you with the best of legal services. Our practices main focus is divorce and matrimonial cases. Each case is handled expertly and efficiently. We feel that clients must be directly involved in the process. We therefore consider their feelings, and advise them during each step of their case. We help minimize the cost of the process through the use of our support staff and very close ongoing contact with each client. All costs and billing procedures are explained fully before representation begins.

Martin L. Swaden is an attorney who has focused his practice on family/matrimonial law. He has completed certified training in mediation and arbitration. He is sensitive to the difficult and emotional issues which arise in family related disputes. Mr. Swaden is listed in the "Best Lawyers in America", and has been selected as a "Minnesota Super Lawyer," by his legal colleagues, in the area of divorce and matrimonial law.

If you are interested in our services, please call. We can select a mutually agreeable time for an initial consultation. It usually takes 1 to 1-1/2 hours to meet with you and provide you with the necessary information regarding the laws, the fee structure, and the entire divorce process. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions.

Family Based Mediation and Other Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?

"ADR" refers to various processes which are available to encourage and facilitate settlement of disputes without resorting to trial.

Why should ADR be used in divorce and other family related disputes?

Through ADR the parties can frequently improve their ability to discuss and communicate rather than argue and fight. ADR can be used in child custody disputes focusing on the children's needs rather than the parties' desires. ADR usually provides a result that is "tailor-made" for the parties' because it comes from the parties' participation and not from a court directive. It avoids the hostility of court litigation and is far less expensive.

What ADR processes will be available through Swaden Law Offices, PA?

1. Mediation - a neutral third party or parties facilitates communication between or among parties to promote settlement of all divorce or other family related disputes.
2. Arbitration - parties and their attorneys present their positions before a neutral third party, who renders a specific award and/or decision.
3. Consensual Special Magistrate - issues in dispute are presented to a neutral third party in lieu of a Minnesota District Court Judge.
4. Early Neutral Evaluation - A forum in which attorneys, or pro-se, present the core of the dispute to a neutral evaluator, in the presence of the parties, for a candid assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the case.
5. Non Binding Advisory Opinion - The attorneys or pro-se parties present the core of the dispute to a neutral advisor, in the presence of the parties, for a non-binding report or recommendation.
6. Med-Arb - hybrid of mediation and arbitration in which the parties initially mediate, but if they reach an impasse, they arbitrate the deadlocked issues.

Cost is based upon the process of ADR selected. All costs and billing procedures are explained fully before the process begins.

Swaden Law Offices, PA offers a free orientation session to the parties considering the use of ADR. We have flexible appointment times available.