Mediation

With over 14,000 divorces occurring each year in Connecticut affecting the lives of the marriage partners, their families and their children, Divorce Resolution Resources can offer more creative, collaborative options for families both during and after divorce. After more than 30 years in the legal profession, I believe mediation and collaboration can offer equitable and confidential resolutions with the potential to limit costs, conflict, and adversarial confrontations.

MEDIATION

Mediation presents the opportunity to resolve conflicts successfully without hostile and potentially destructive courtroom confrontations.

Mediation offers:

  • structured non-adversarial processes that provide alternative approaches to the standard litigated divorce
  • facilitated negotiation that assists clients in reaching a reasonable settlement of differences
  • the opportunity for both parties to achieve mutually agreeable solutions based on communication and compromise
  • privacy and confidentiality for the family issues involved in the dissolution of the marriage partnership
  • a system for achieving and maintaining agreements regarding:
    • parenting and time with children
    • custody and child support
    • division of property, assets, and liabilities
    • spousal support and alimony

THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR

In the divorce mediation process, the mediator is a neutral, unbiased party advancing the process by facilitating communications and gathering information. The mediator assists the divorcing partners and their advisors or professional counselors to analyze data and generate options leading to a mutually beneficial agreement. This client-centered approach to divorce encourages collaborative exploration of the present and future needs of all parties involved and negotiation of the issues interfering with agreement. Mediation can be less costly as well as less contentious and time-consuming than a conventional litigated divorce.

THE DESIRED OUTCOMES OF MEDIATION

Throughout mediation, decision-making authority remains with the divorcing parties, so the agreement achieved is tailored to their present and future needs. As a result, studies reveal that at least 95 percent of mediations reach a negotiated agreement with less emotional and financial strain. Client involvement creates a greater commitment to abiding by the terms of the agreement. By relying on mental health, financial and legal divorce professionals the family can work to build a solid foundation for the future.

LEGAL BACKGROUND

Attorney mediators, familiar with family law, child support guidelines, and taxation, act as impartial negotiators, assisting both parties in arriving at a negotiated settlement and in filing the forms required to finalize the divorce.

MENTAL HEALTH BACKGROUND

Mediators trained in mental health counseling (marriage and family social workers, psychologists and psychiatrist) help spouses manage and contain emotions and change behavioral patterns. They teach problem solving and communication skills to that facilitate the divorce process. Most importantly, a mental health professional is important in helping parents understand and address the children’s feelings, needs and reactions to the family transition and restructuring. Helping parents to develop stronger, healthier relationships and co-parenting skills is in the best interest of the chi;dren as the family restructures and transitions.

FINANCIAL EXPERTISE

Expert divorce financial planning assistance, supported by computer-based programs, can clarify the economic consequences of financial settlements. Charts, graphs, and clear explanations demonstrate the outcome of decisions supporting an equitable distribution of assets.

For more information about divorce mediation – Please visit firms site – Freshman and McGlynn