There are several important reasons why arbitration is fast becoming the preferred method for resolving many family law issues across the U.S. today, such as the fact that it allows for self-determination and also promotes cost-efficient, expedient resolution. This comprehensive overview of family law arbitration provides background, practical guidance on all aspects of drafting agreements and conducting an arbitration, and supplies valuable state summaries and sample forms.

Author Carolyn Moran Zack, an experienced family lawyer, explains the pros and cons of arbitration to resolve family law disputes and reviews the various methods employed (common law, statutory and revised statutory arbitration) among the states, including whether there are any states that disallow arbitration or disallow certain issues to be arbitrated. Summaries and charts comparing state laws are an invaluable resource for the practitioner.

Chapters address both practical and procedural issues involved with arbitrating family law disputes, including how to choose an arbitrator, where to hold the arbitration, how to draft an agreement to arbitrate, what subjects may be addressed in the arbitration, the importance of defining or limiting the scope of the arbitration, whether the rules of evidence should be observed, how the arbitration is held, timing and format of the decision, and the process for any reconsideration or appeal.

Family Law Arbitration: Practice, Procedure, and Forms also provides a wealth of forms for practitioners and arbitrators, including agreements to arbitrate, letter directives, and reports of interim and final decisions. The author also shares best practices in different scenarios, describes creative solutions that the arbitrator can develop that may not be available if the case is litigated, and highlights the possible pitfalls of arbitration and how to avoid them. An online forms library contains the book's 21 appendices, some of which do not appear in the printed book.