Divorce Mediation

A difficult process at best, divorce can be more "civilized" with mediation

• decide how to divide assets and debt
• reach agreements on parenting and support issues
• maintain control of the divorce process
• establish a pattern of problem solving that will help in the future
• reach agreements that suit your situation best
• develop a parenting plan that truly puts the children first
• avoid some of the rancor of traditional divorce proceedings
• move through the process at your own speed
• prepare to move ahead with your separate lives

Mediation for separation or divorce provides an alternative approach for working through parenting, financial and property issues. Working through and reaching agreement on these issues sometimes seems impossible, and can be full of emotional land mines. The mediation process provides a less adversarial structure than typical for the challenging work to be done.

Mediation is usually less expensive, more private, and more focused on finding mutually acceptable results than the traditional divorce process.

The mediator facilitates the process but does not advise or direct the participants toward specific decisions. . . the participants are in charge of reaching agreements they can live with.

The process for separation or divorce mediation generally goes this way:

1. Individual orientation session with each client

Generally these sessions last about one hour. It is an opportunity for the clients to make sure they understand what the mediation process is and for the clients and the mediator to determine if mediation is appropriate for their situation.

2. If both clients and the mediator agree to proceed, a contract is signed and joint sessions are scheduled

These sessions usually last about two hours and are scheduled in one- or two-week intervals, or as the clients request. The number of sessions required varies, depending on how complex the issues are, how quickly information is gathered, and how quickly the individuals are able to reach agreements. Rarely does this require less than 3 sessions or more than 5 sessions.

3. A written memorandum of agreement is prepared and reviewed.

The document we prepare is not, in itself, a legal document. It is a written agreement, which can become a legal document by the court through an attorney. This document can provide the backbone of the formal divorce agreement when the attorney drafts the legal documents.

4. Each participant gets two copies of the final draft of the memorandum

The final mailing includes a copy of the memorandum and a copy of all the supporting documents used to reach the agreements for each client to give to his/her attorney.

To prepare the written agreement, we use a checklist to sort through the information that pertains to the issues the clients want to negotiate. I encourage the clients to be in contact with their lawyers regarding the agreements they reach. The end document, along with all the supporting documentation for financial issues, is submitted to the clients' attorneys for review, and can be used as the framework for their legal divorce agreement. The mediator cannot file for the divorce.

Fee schedule is available upon request.

Contact Nancy:  nancy@saudermediation.com
phone:  717-569-2733