Smith certified as circuit court arbitrato

Michael Smith, a partner at Morton & Gettys, is now certified as a South Carolina Family Law Arbitrator.

Smith is also a South Carolina Family Law Mediator and trained in collaborative divorce. He and fellow partner John Gettys, a certified circuit court mediator, form the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution team, which offers an array of services that provide an alternative to the adversarial approach.

Though arbitration and mediation both are ways to settle disputes out of court, the processes are different. An arbitrator hears evidence from both sides and then makes a decision, while a meditator works to guide parties to an agreement. Arbitration can be binding or non-binding.

“There are a number of reasons parties in a family court setting might choose to arbitrate rather than submit their dispute to a judge,” says Smith. A case can be concluded much more quickly, it tends to cost less, and it’s easier to guard the parties’ privacy.

Smith practices family law at Morton & Gettys, including divorce, child custody, support and other issues.

About Morton & Gettys

Established in 2001 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Morton & Gettys, LLC, is a growing firm that represents clients throughout South Carolina and beyond. Our attorneys counsel corporations, businesses of all sizes and individuals with a range of needs. The wide scope of practice areas includes business and corporate law, commercial and residential real estate, estate planning and probate law, personal injury as a result of automobile accidents and more. The firm includes experienced litigators, veteran divorce and child custody lawyers and attorneys well-versed in drunk driving law and other areas of criminal defense. For more information, please visit mortongettys.com.