About Us

What is Mediation?
Why Mediation?
How Mediation Works
Cost of Mediation
Co-Mediation & Arbitration Services

Mediation provides the divorcing couple with a method of MUTUALLY and efficiently resolving issues of parenting, property and support in a private, safe, and positive environment. With the help of a skilled mediator, couples reach an agreement COOPERATIVELY rather than in a competitive struggle. Unlike the adversarial process, neither party can win at the other's expense. Resolutions must emerge from the mediation that are created and accepted by BOTH parties - resolutions that reflect each couple's individual values and unique needs. A party may elect to use an attorney as a consultant in conjunction with the mediation at any time. Upon mutual agreement, attorneys may also be present during the mediation.

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• To help couples retain control of their divorce
  
• To encourage a healthy post-divorce relationship between ALL families members.
  
• To especially consider the children
  
• To help minimize the financial impact of two separate households.
  
• To assist the couple to plan realistically for the future and work toward financial independence.
  
• To reduce the cost, delay and emotional turmoil so often associated with divorce.
  
• To reduce the likelihood of post-divorce disputes.

NOTE:Practical experience - not to mention common sense- has shown that settlements created with full participation of the parties, in face to face negotiations, are more likely to satisfy the needs of both parties and be honored in the future.

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During the first session, the mediator will assess each party's commitment to a fair and honest process, help each party define personal goals, and begin to identify the areas of agreement and disagreement. In following sessions, the mediator will assist the couple in systematically working through each area of concern. Additionally, the mediator will manage the conflict, orchestrate the data gathering, help the couple explore various options and consequences and help facilitate communications.

Sessions will usually be scheduled at regular intervals and generally be about two hours long. The total number of sessions required depends upon the couple's ability to cooperate and the complexity of the situation. Mediation, however, is intended to be a short-term process.

After completing the mediation and upon the request of the parties, the legal documents can be prepared by our office. In that case, we recommend that each party selects an attorney to review the substantive final documents in order to assure that each party's interests are protected. Alternatively, the parties may elect to have our office draft a Memorandum of Understanding outlining all of the decisions made by the parties. An attorney would use the Memorandum as a guide from which to draft the legal documents.

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The Family Mediation Center offers a one-half hour courtesy session to help acquaint interested couples with mediation. All services thereafter are based on hourly rates. Although each mediation is unique, a typical mediation involving all four issues of parenting, property, spousal and child support requires approximately 8 - 10 hours to complete.

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Co-mediation is available upon request. This involves the use of a team of two mediators, one male and one female. In general, one mediator will be an attorney and the other mediator will be a mental health professional. Although more expensive, co-mediation may be particularly helpful to couples with complex interpersonal issues.

ARBITRATION SERVICES

The Family Mediation Center has expanded to include Family Arbitration Services. Parties can either choose arbitration instead of mediation or use arbitration to resolve issues they may not have been able to resolve in mediation. This provides parties with another cost-effective and efficient alternative to the traditional legal process. Parties may choose an arbitrator from our panel of expert family law attorneys, accountants, appraisers and psychologists.

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