Often when clients hire an attorney they believe their issues are so difficult, they will most likely end up in court. But attorneys can provide alternatives to their clients. One such alternative for complex divorce or support issues is private arbitration. This alternative to court can be extremely beneficial to clients in a divorce.

Arbitration may be warranted in many different instances. Perhaps one party owns a business and does not want information regarding the business to be public or scrutinized by a judge. Another reason for the arbitration would be if there are very complex issues involving multiple forensic experts or appraisers. Finally, arbitration is helpful when the parties want to conclude their matters without waiting for hearing dates, appeals and multiple trials.

First, arbitration allows parties to provide confidential financial information to a fact-finder without the fear personal information regarding income, revenues or debt will be disclosed to third parties. Divorce filings in most counties are public record and unless an order to seal the record is granted, basically anyone can view the file. Executives are wary about having their income and benefits publicly revealed and don't like that their personal tax returns might be reviewed by anyone who might ask to see the file.