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Nick J. Galanin, Esq
Nick's diverse work experience prior to law from running a theatre camp to working in the credit industry, and his extensive foreign language studies, have given him a well-rounded and community focused approach to family law.
Prior to opening his own firm, Nick worked as an associate attorney at MillerAsen, P.A. representing individuals in divorces, separations, parental rights actions, protection orders, and modifications of established court orders.
Nick is a graduate of Colgate University and earned his law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Nick also holds a Certificate in Mediation from the University of Southern Maine. During law school, he served as a volunteer translator and interpreter for the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic. Nick also worked as a trial assistant at a criminal defense firm in Portland coordinating extensively with clients, courts, mental health professionals, and substance use recovery programs.
Nick is currently offering Guardian ad Litem and Coparenting Mediation services. Feel free to reach out below with any questions!
Nick has a passion for helping individuals and families through difficult transitions.
At a Glance
Rostered Guardian ad Litem
CADRES Family Matters Mediator
Admitted to practice in State of Maine
Member of:
Maine State Bar Association
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Maine Association of Mediators
Education:
Juris Doctor, University of Maine School of Law
Mediation Certificate (40 Hours), University of Southern Maine
Parenting Coordination Training (24 Hours), The Cooperative Parenting Institute
Fundamentals of Parenting Coordination Training Program (16 Hours), Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Nick speaks Spanish and French.
Guardian ad Litem
As a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), the Court appoints me to serve as a representative for the best interests of your child/ren during your family matters case. The role of the GAL is to thoroughly investigate each child's situation and make recommendations to the court regarding what is in the child/ren's best interests. The recommendations can include decision making, parenting time, conditions of parent-child contact and other discrete issues central to your case. As part of my investigations, I interview the child/ren, parents, live-in partners, and sometimes other relevant parties such as teachers, doctors, caregivers and school counselors. I observe the child/ren in each parent's home, and review relevant court filings. In some cases, I am asked to review extensive child services reports or medical and educational records to further aid me in forming an opinion.
The scope of the recommendations and the investigation are determined by the Appointment Order which serves as my roadmap for each family's unique needs. While some families only require nuclear family interviews and home visits, others request more expansive investigations which allow me to immerse myself in the history of a family, its support network, and get to know each individual and thoughtfully consider their perspectives. My ultimate goal is always to ensure that the child/ren's best interests remains at the forefront of any decision making in your case, whether that be between the parties during settlement negotiations, or by a judge during a contested hearing.
Click here to read more about GALs in Family Matters on the State of Maine Judicial Branch website.
Coparenting Mediation
Mediation is a valuable tool for parents who are raising children in separate homes due to separation, divorce, dissolution of a relationship, or difficult circumstances. Coparenting can be a stressful and exhausting process and it requires a lot of collaboration in order to raise happy, healthy, and emotionally intelligent children. When disagreements arise, returning to Court, though sometimes necessary, can feel like a daunting prospect for a family that is already navigating life's challenges.
Coparenting Mediation provides an opportunity for both parents to come together, express their concerns, actively listen to one another, and reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with the help of a neutral third-party. As a mediator, Nick keeps coparents focused on their children, while helping them work through stressful situations and decisions that crop up as their kids change and grow. Through Nick's training as a Guardian ad Litem and a Parenting Coordinator he has a variety of resources related to child development, coparent communication, and conflict resolution that can supplement the mediation process and help eager parents to reshape the way they collaborate with their coparent.
By choosing to collaborate amicably when coparenting issues arrive, parents can minimize conflict and prioritize the well-being of their children. A collaborative approach can lead to a positive and cooperative co-parenting relationship, reducing the emotional toll on children and providing them with a stable and supportive environment. Coparenting Mediation allows parents to go at their own pace, prioritize the issues that are most important to them, and empowers them to make decisions that suit their unique family structure.
Contact
Galanin Family Law, LLC
510 Main Street Mailbox 24
Gorham, ME 04038
Tel: (207) 200-5879
© 2023 Galanin Family Law, LLC
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