Walking the Line - Financial Professionals in Divorce Mediation

There is a fine line between impartiality and advocacychildren and the custodial parent, and related financial
and financial professionals and divorce mediators mustissues". To say that these financial professionals must
balance this high wire everyday. Financial Planner, Alanremain objective is obvious but they invariable
Nadolna of the Associates Group and Mediator, Brianexperience the human emotions of compassion,
James of CEL Associates are intimately aware of thissympathy, and concern for all the parties involved.
challenge. When couples find their marriages dissolvingBrian James of CEL Associates has found that "in a
the professionals they consult enter into theprocess where the high stakes of future well-being of
emotionally charged situation with a heavy burden.children are involved these emotions go with the
They must remain dispassionate and objective butterritory." Financial planners and divorce mediators are
also give voice to the accountability and equity thatespecially valued for their lack of judgment and bias
must be injected into any mediation process.but there are frequently times in the process where
Financial planners like Alan Nadolna, who participate inthey must act as an advocate for a weaker and
divorce mediation processes are additionally burdenedmore vulnerable spouse. Brian James, divorce mediator
with advocacy for parties who are often uninformedand counselor emphasizes that, "mediators and
and compromised by the divorce action. As isfinancial planners must collaborate to ensure that the
frequently the case, there is usually one spouse whofinancial portion of the marital estate is divided fairly
has been less active in the financial activities of theand equitably for all the parties involved in both the
marriage and often enters divorce proceedings withshort and long term effects of the division."
significantly less information and expertise than theirWalking this fine line where emotions and objectivity
partner. Issues such as long term investments, theare balanced becomes a high stakes high wire act.
marital home, and continued health insurance createFinancial planners must take the dollars and cents of a
incredible anxiety and fear for that spouse and, asmarriage and attempt to mitigate the impact that
Alan Nadolna states," the financial planner mustemotional chaos has upon the real and tangible assets
become the architect and director of the process forof the marriage. Even seasoned professionals such as
an equitable financial settlement."Alan Nadola and Brian James can not help but make
There are two primary responsibilities for the financialan emotional investment in the outcome of the
professional in divorce mediation. The first is to assessprocess. Because divorce mediations can be lengthy
the emotional status of each party and what impactand emotionally charged processes, these
that status will have on open and honest financialprofessionals become invested in the health and status
disclosure and negotiation. Organizations such as theof the couple. But, while emotionally invested, these
Associates Group and CEL Associates introducetruly gifted professionals can walk this fine line with
financial accountability to the mediation process andpoise, professionalism, and pride in seeing their efforts
find that this is paramount to a responsible mediation.result in equitable settlements and avoid costly and
Secondly, financial professional Alan Nadolna mustpainful litigation. This balancing act is worthy of even
"make appropriate recommendations and directthe most renown tightrope walkers and, without a net,
inquiries into marital assets, financial well-being ofthe stakes are just as high.