Carmen M. Rodriguez

Rodriguez Law & Mediation, PLLC

Carmen deeply believes in the importance of providing highly personalized and understanding divorce and family law mediation services.

Divorce is tremendously unsettling. It is an emotional and difficult process, but it does not have to be adversarial. Carmen uses her extensive mediation experience and training to help you bridge your differences and reach an agreement, without going to court. At Rodriguez Law & Mediation, PLLC Carmen guides you through the divorce process, as well as any custody or visitation questions, at your pace, keeping in mind that this can be an overwhelming process, but with the knowledge that both your concerns and matters that you may not have even considered will be addressed.

At Rodriguez Law & Mediation, PLLC Carmen is a neutral third party. By actively listening and asking a lot of questions, Carmen helps you find common ground.

A mediator does not make rulings like a judge or represent either party like a lawyer. The parties in mediation make decisions and tailor their agreement to address their specific needs.

Mediation allows both sides to be heard and all issues addressed in a respectful manner. Working together, the mediator helps the parties reach an agreement. The parties are in the best position to make these decisions. Giving each person a say on every decision, increase the likelihood that the negotiated agreement will last.

Mediation is a voluntary process that is significantly less expensive than litigation. Rodriguez Law & Mediation, PLLC rates are based on a sliding fee schedule. The rate is determined by the couple’s combined gross income and agreed upon before any services begin.

Carmen also speaks Spanish fluently and firmly believes that all parties should be able to represent themselves in the language in which they feel most comfortable.

Carmen graduated from Brown University and Columbia Law School.

• Free Consultation
  Thirty-minute free consultation.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Divorce or separation is emotional, complex and can be very expensive. Carmen believes that everyone is entitled to experienced legal and mediation services. The fee structure is based on the couple’s combined gross income as reported in their tax returns and assets. Before proceeding with any work, we agree upon an hourly rate. There will always be complete transparency with respect to costs. Depending on the assets, such as a home, condo, coop, pensions, retirement plans, cars, and business interests, there could be between 5 and 8 mediation sessions. On occasion, there are fewer or more sessions. The fewer the assets, the less complex the case typically is, and thus the faster it is to address these issues. Each mediation session is generally scheduled for 2 hours, but, on occasion, they could be shorter.

New York

New York State Office of Court Administration

ID Number: 2144053

Since 1987

Columbia Law School

J.D.

Brown University

B.A.

Award for Outstanding Service to Brown University

Brown University

Literacy, Inc. Recognition for Outstanding Service and Contributions

Literacy Inc

Brown University Latino Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Leadership

Brown University

New York City Bar Association

Secretary, ADR Committee

Current

New York State Bar  # 2144053

Member

1987 - Current

Panelist, Mediation in Child Protection Cases New York City Family Court, New York, NY

February 27, 2020

NYC Family Court Mediation Program

Presentation to judges and court staff.

New York City Bar Association Mediation Training: Conflict Resolution Theory & Techniques

New York City Bar Association

New York City Bar Association Advanced Commercial Mediation

New York City Bar Association

New York County Lawyers Association Advanced Divorce Mediation Training

New York County Lawyers' Association

New York City Bar Association and Community Mediation Services Surrogate’s Court Training

New York City Bar Association

Certified Mediator

Community Mediation Services

New York City Family Court Panel

New York City Family Court Mediation Program

Q. How does one verify Mediation Certification of a Court Neutral, in New York State?

March 27, 2023

A: If I understand your question, you have been assigned a mediator by a Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Coordinator in one of the counties. For a mediator to be selected to join a supreme court panel of mediators, they have to have completed several trainings and a thorough vetting process. The mediators must also comply with continuing legal education requirements. Separately, there are various organizations that offer certification of mediators. However, there is no statewide mediator certification. I hope this is helpful.

Q. I am in an abusive marriage with two little kids and no financial means to pay a retainer, I need help and advice, thank

March 7, 2023

A: If you are in immediate danger call 911

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233

Safe Horizon contact is 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

There is also Freedom House (domestic violence shelter for victims of domestic violence and their families)

212-400-6470

Legal Services may be available through NYLAG - New York Legal Assistance Group (212) 613-5000 or The Bronx Defenders (718) 838-7878

Q. my car is registered to my ex boyfriend is there any possible way I can get it back?

May 12, 2021

A: I am sorry you are going through this.

Here are a few thoughts, and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of considerations:

Do you have any receipts or proof of payment(s)?

Are you still paying for the car?

Why did you register it in his name?

Did he have better credit?

Was this a gift? If so, did you file a gift tax receipt (the giver pays the gift tax if over $15,000)

Was this an offset to a loan or an amount he gave to you?

I wish there were a clear answer, but hopefully, this will give you a place to start.