Arbitration

Expert Arbitration Services providing Dispute Resolution at MeehanLaw, LLC

Comprehensive Arbitration Representation and Expertise

Representing clients at Arbitration

At MeehanLaw, LLC, we offer robust arbitration services to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our firm is proud to represent clients in arbitration proceedings, providing skilled advocacy to protect their interests in family law disputes. Whether navigating emotionally charged child custody matters or intricate financial disagreements, Attorney Michael Meehan brings decades of experience to ensure your voice is heard and your goals are pursued with precision.

Arbitrator Services

Attorney Meehan has also acted as an arbitrator, adjudicating numerous complex cases involving child custody and financial issues for counsel and family litigants. In this capacity, he has served as a neutral decision-maker, leveraging his deep legal knowledge and impartiality to deliver fair and equitable resolutions. This dual expertise—representing clients and adjudicating disputes—sets our firm apart, offering a unique perspective that benefits every case we handle.

Expanded Arbitration Options in Connecticut

In 2021, the Connecticut Legislature expanded Connecticut General Statute § 46b-66, broadening the scope of family law issues that can be resolved through arbitration. This significant update allows parties to submit child support and custody disputes to arbitration, in addition to financial and property matters. This legislative change, influenced heavily by cases like Blondeau v. Baltierra, reflects a growing recognition of arbitration as a valuable tool for families seeking tailored, confidential solutions to their legal challenges. Prior to this amendment, arbitration in family law was limited, with child support and custody issues explicitly excluded, as highlighted by the legal framework addressed in Blondeau v. Baltierra.

Types of Arbitration: Restricted vs. Unrestricted

Arbitration in family law can be structured in two primary ways:

• Restricted Arbitration: The arbitrator’s authority is limited to specific issues or outcomes agreed upon by the parties in advance. This approach provides greater control over the process and is ideal for disputes requiring targeted resolution.
• Unrestricted Arbitration: The arbitrator has broader discretion to decide all submitted issues, offering a comprehensive resolution akin to a judicial ruling. This flexibility can streamline complex cases with multiple points of contention.

Both forms of arbitration can be binding, meaning the arbitrator’s decision is final and enforceable, providing closure without the uncertainty of prolonged litigation.

Why Choose Arbitration? Key Benefits Explained

Arbitration offers a compelling alternative to traditional courtroom litigation, providing a range of advantages that prioritize your privacy, comfort, and efficiency. Here’s why arbitration might be the right choice for your family law matter:

• Privacy: Unlike court proceedings, which are part of the public record, arbitration is a confidential process, ensuring sensitive family matters—whether related to children, finances, or personal relationships—remain private.
• More Informal: Arbitration takes place in a less rigid environment than a courtroom, fostering a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere that reduces stress and encourages open dialogue.
• Efficient: Arbitration typically resolves disputes faster than traditional litigation, often in weeks or months rather than years, saving both time and emotional energy.
• Tailored to Your Needs: Parties can choose to address specific disputes or resolve all aspects of their case, aligning the process with their priorities and circumstances.
• Flexible Scheduling: Arbitration can be scheduled at times that work best for you, your counsel, and the other party—including evenings and weekends—minimizing disruptions to your personal and professional life.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By avoiding lengthy trials, arbitration often reduces legal expenses.
• Customized Solutions: Parties can select an arbitrator with specialized expertise, like Michael Meehan, ensuring decisions are informed by deep knowledge of family law.
• Finality: Binding arbitration provides a conclusive resolution, minimizing the risk of appeals and prolonged conflict.

These benefits make arbitration an attractive option for families seeking a resolution that respects their time, privacy, and unique needs while delivering results efficiently.

Meehanlaw leading the way to more efficient resolution in Connecticut family matters, see: Blondeau v. Baltierra

Blondeau v. Baltierra, decided by the Connecticut Supreme Court on September 24, 2020, is a landmark case that addressed the scope of arbitration in family law, particularly regarding child support. In this case, Attorney Michael Meehan served as counsel for one of the parties, showcasing his expertise in navigating complex family law arbitration. The court ruled that while the arbitrator had authority to divide marital property under an unrestricted arbitration agreement, child support issues could not be arbitrated at the time, reflecting the legal standards prior to the 2021 expansion of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-66.

Case Background and Legal Impact

The case arose from a marital dissolution where the parties had entered a premarital agreement and later agreed to binding arbitration. The arbitrator’s award included decisions on property division and child support, but Michael Meehan, successfully argued that the child support portion exceeded the arbitrator’s authority under then-existing law. The Supreme Court clarified that, prior to 2021, child support and custody issues were not arbitrable, setting a precedent for how arbitration agreements are interpreted in family law. This ruling highlighted the balance between party agreements and statutory limits, influencing how attorneys approach alternative dispute resolution today.

Instrumental Role in Legislative Change

Blondeau v. Baltierra was instrumental in prompting the Connecticut Legislature to expand Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-66 in 2021. The case exposed the practical limitations of excluding child support and custody from arbitration, demonstrating the need for a more flexible framework to address these critical family law issues. Meehan’s advocacy as counsel for Sophie Blondeau played a key role in bringing these issues to light, contributing to the legislative shift that now permits parties to resolve child support and custody disputes through arbitration. This change marks a significant evolution in Connecticut family law, directly traceable to the challenges and arguments raised in this case.

Legal Context and Pre-2021 Framework

The timing of Blondeau v. Baltierra makes it particularly significant, as it reflects the legal framework before the 2021 amendment. Prior to this legislative expansion, family law arbitration was constrained, with child support and custody issues explicitly excluded, as evidenced by the court’s decision. Research into the statute’s historical text, available at Connecticut General Statutes Title 46B Family Law, confirms this limitation, underscoring the case’s relevance to historical legal practice. The 2021 amendment marks a shift, but Blondeau v. Baltierra remains a critical reference for understanding the pre-amendment landscape.

Michael Meehan’s Role and Expertise

Michael Meehan’s involvement as counsel in Blondeau v. Baltierra demonstrates his ability to handle complex disputes involving premarital agreements, unrestricted arbitration submissions, and the interplay between party agreements and statutory limits. His leadership in this leading case not only reinforces MeehanLaw, LLC’s prominence in family law arbitration but also underscores his influence in shaping Connecticut’s ADR landscape.

Arbitration Proceedings at MeehanLaw’s State-of-the-Art Facilities in Fairfield, Connecticut

MeehanLaw, LLC is proud to serve clients in Fairfield County, including, Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Wilton, Fairfield, Easton and Bridgeport, Connecticut from our new, cutting-edge office in Fairfield, Connecticut.  The state of the art office is specifically designed to accommodate mediation and arbitration proceedings. Our facility features three modern conference rooms equipped with advanced technology, providing a comfortable and professional environment for parties and counsel. Whether participating in arbitration or mediation, clients benefit from a setting tailored to foster productive dialogue and resolution, in a comfortable environment, all while avoiding the stress and formality of the Superior Court.

Our Commitment to Client-Centered Solutions

At MeehanLaw, LLC, we understand that every family law dispute is personal and complex. That’s why we emphasize arbitration as a powerful tool to achieve outcomes that reflect your goals. Whether we’re representing you in arbitration or Attorney Meehan is serving as your arbitrator, our focus remains on delivering client-centered solutions. We combine our legal expertise with a compassionate approach to guide you through the process, ensuring that arbitration works for you—on your terms and on your timeline.

Contact Us Today

If you’re considering arbitration for your family law matter, MeehanLaw, LLC is here to help. With our proven track record of representing clients and Attorney Michael Meehan’s extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator we offer the skills and insight needed to resolve even the most challenging disputes. Contact us today to learn how arbitration’s privacy, informality, efficiency, tailored flexibility, and convenient scheduling can benefit you, and how our expertise can bring peace of mind to your family law concerns.