Getting Started in Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is a way to separate or divorce amicably without the stresses that accompany traditional divorce. Most divorcing couples originally contact us by telephone or e-mail. A member of our team takes down the information we need prior to our first meeting. During this call we describe the mediation process and what to expect when you walk into our office. We emphasize during this telephone meeting that our work is confidential but that it is always shared with both parties. Accordingly, the important details of your divorce are only discussed at our first meeting.

At this first meeting we describe the divorce mediation process to you in detail. If either of you has any questions or problems relating to this process, this is the time that they are shared. At this first session we prefer to meet with both spouses.

At this first meeting, we may give each of you an assignment as we will also do from time to time during our regular meetings.

We will always confirm our first meeting with you by telephone, if possible. Both spouses are usually present at this first meeting though occasionally you will both meet with us separately for that first meeting. In some circumstances this can be helpful though it is important that both spouses realize that divorce mediation is a joint venture.

We always schedule hourly sessions with you unless, after meeting with you, we determine that two-hour sessions are likely to be more productive or if you live far away and prefer longer sessions.

At this first meeting, we also discuss our obligations to you as well as your obligations to us. We schedule your mediation sessions on a weekly basis and, if possible, at the same time each week.

When you have agreed on all the issues that have been discussed with us, we will make a memorandum of understanding. This memo confirms what we have agreed upon in each of our meetings. It becomes the basis for your separation agreement.