FAQ
A: For most people, it is an effective means to work through their disagreements and past problems and arrive at solutions which will be lasting and workable in their lives. It presents you with an opportunity:
• to be listened to and heard;
• to clarify your current situation;
• to identify what you really need, want and can do for your future; and
• to figure out what to do to get from where you are now to where you want to be.
A: Mediation has worked for all kinds of cases and all kinds of people. Many people start mediation thinking it won’t work, and most are able to find solutions to some or all of their situations.
A: You can mediate anything you can agree to discuss:
• Children's Issues Legal & Physical Custody/Visitation
Parenting Time/Decision Making
Unmarried Parents/Grandparents/Others
Child Support
• Money Issues Property Distribution/Debt Distribution
Retirement/Pensions
Spousal Support/Maintenance/Alimony
• Other Issues Separation/Divorce
Post Decree Matters
Appellate Matters
A: The mediator will listen to each of you and will help you:
Identify Facts, Needs and Wants.
• listen to each other;
• explain your view of your current situation;
• determine your real interests, needs and wants; and
• gather the information you need to make informed decisions.
Create and Test Solutions.
• create different options and solutions;
• evaluate them to see which ones are fair and practical;
• evaluate (reality test) which will meet your current and future needs;
• devise a plan to implement your chosen solutions; and
• if you request it, prepare a written document of your agreements.
A: The mediator can help you clarify your thinking and your communications so you will be able to:
• think and talk about what you really want and need;
• listen to the mediator; to yourself; and to the other party;
• think practically about whether solutions will actually work in your life.
A: We will plan to meet for two hours, and should then be able to estimate how much more time, if any, we will need. How long your case will take depends on how complex it is (children, assets, debts, etc.) and your ability to focus on future solutions rather than past blame.
A: The Mediator's Responsibility is to manage the process and create a structure and framework to allow you to make the best decisions you can make at this time.
Your Responsibility is to make the decisions. It is important to focus on the future and how you want your future to look and to be; and find those solutions that satisfy everyone's real interests
A: Mediation is not about someone else telling you what to do or making
decisions for you; who was right or wrong in the past; assigning blame
or fault; or about proving your legal case.