| Divorce is never easy. It has taken a long | | | | · What does support cover? |
| time for you to make the decision to split | | | | |
| up. And even if you and your spouse are still | | | | · Who gets to stay in the house? |
| on "good terms", you'll still encounter | | | | |
| problems when you attempt to work out the | | | | · How will I get my money from the |
| details of your separation. Rarely is there | | | | property we own? |
| equal bargaining power in a marriage. Plus, | | | | |
| it is very difficult to make rational | | | | · How will our investments be divided? |
| decisions when emotions are running high. Few | | | | |
| situations are as emotionally charged as the | | | | · Do I have to share my retirement? |
| end of a relationship. | | | | |
| | | | · Who will pay the credit card debt? |
| Mediation is a voluntary settlement process | | | | |
| which allows you to control your own destiny | | | | · What about health insurance? |
| rather than leaving your fate up to a judge | | | | |
| who knows nothing about your or your spouse. | | | | · Will the kids get to go to college? |
| You need never step foot into a courtroom as | | | | |
| all discussions are held in the safety and | | | | A skilled and experienced mediator is able to |
| comfort of the mediator's office. Because of | | | | create a safe and cooperative environment |
| this mediation is far less costly in both | | | | which encourages open and honest discussion. |
| economic and emotional terms. Couples can | | | | The mediator's role is an impartial one, |
| save up to 90% over a traditional courtroom | | | | identifying issues exploring underlying |
| battle by using the mediation process. | | | | interests, suggesting options and balancing |
| | | | power. |
| How it works: | | | | |
| | | | The mediator is neutral, does not represent |
| Divorce Mediation is a step by step process | | | | either party and does not make decisions. |
| through which separating couples arrive at a | | | | They are trained to listen and help both |
| fair agreement which is acceptable to both | | | | parties stay focused on the task at hand. |
| parties. It is conducted under the guidance | | | | There is no need to being "dirty laundry" |
| of a trained professional who helps the | | | | into the room or the discussions. Mediators |
| couple to make their own important decisions | | | | encourage the couple to search for a solution |
| concerning their changing and uncertain | | | | to their unique problems and support them |
| future. The mediator need not be a lawyer. A | | | | once a decision is made. |
| psychologist with some knowledge of divorce | | | | |
| law can be quite effective in dealing with a | | | | The mediation process culminates (usually |
| couple going through a breakup of their | | | | after an average of five sessions) in the |
| marriage. | | | | preparation of a Marital Settlement Agreement |
| | | | which details the specifics of your mutually |
| The mediator helps you identify the points | | | | agreed upon decisions. This agreement is the |
| upon which you already agree and works from | | | | basis of the divorce decree. |
| there, with cooperative problem solving, to | | | | |
| work on the issues which are not so easily | | | | A Final Note |
| disposed of. Some examples of typical | | | | |
| questions which come up during the process | | | | It is important to understand that mediation |
| are: | | | | is not the arena for deciding whether or not |
| | | | to separate or divorce. That should be done |
| · Who will the children live with? | | | | in the office of a mental health |
| | | | professional. However, once the decision is |
| · How much visitation will the | | | | reached, mediation can help the separating |
| non-residential parent enjoy? · How | | | | couple and their children avoid unnecessary |
| much support will be paid? | | | | scars and return much sooner to the business |
| | | | of living. |