One of the biggest financial burdens of divorce is litigation. However, how do you avoid litigation, but still protect yourself? One relatively new option is called “COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE.” The collaborative divorce model requires the parties to make a commitment not to litigate. Each party is represented by an attorney, who is their advocate throughout the…
If you are getting divorced in the 21st century, why would you rely on 20th century thinking? Televisions shows of the last century, such as “L.A. Law,” presented a picture of litigation that was both dramatic and appealing. An entire generation of audiences became convinced that the legal process what just like television—your case could…
What is Family Law Mediation? Mediation is a process where parties work with a trained family law mediator to resolve their issues rather than litigate those issues in court. It involves confidential meetings with a trained family law mediator who acts as a neutral to assist and empower the parties to resolve issues in dispute….
“The job of the mediator is to either find the road or make the road.” Mediators “seek to create a solution that saves time, saves money and shortens or does away with litigation.” The words of former NY Gov. Mario Cuomo, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal on March 3, 2011. This article is…
DROP THE DRAMA. Do not discuss the past, unless it is pertinent and directly relates to a present issue. As the late great Washington Redskins football coach George Allen said, “the future is now.” This may be easier said than done, but you cannot change the past, you can only move forward. Sometimes this will…
A op-ed piece in the New York Times confirms the value of divorce mediation for families with children. Stephanie Coontz, a professor of history at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, wrote about the value of mediated divorce. Professor Coontz cited a 12 year study of divorcing couples randomly assigned to either mediation or litigation. The…