Why is Mediation Often the Best Choice for Divorcing Couples?
{4:06 minutes to read} There are many reasons for couples to choose to mediate their divorce as opposed to proceeding with a contested/litigated process. Below I discuss the top 9 reasons why divorce mediation is typically the best choice:
1. Expense: Mediation is much less costly than litigation.
Special Needs Children and Parenting Discussions
{3:06 minutes to read} When couples with normal-developing kids are separating or divorcing, we can spend quite a bit of time during mediation discussing their parenting arrangements. Among the many subjects that need to be addressed are: what the weekday and weekend parenting schedule will look like; how scheduling for holidays and summer vacations will be handled; and in what ways the scheduling may need to reflect the specific work circumstances of the parents.
Divorcing Parents and Their Special Needs Children
{3:12 minutes to read} I just finished a mediation session with a divorcing couple who have a special needs child, in addition to two typically-developing children. While divorces involving special needs children are often complicated and involve more issues than the “normal” divorce, I find helping these families to be especially rewarding.
I’m Right — and You’re Wrong!
{2:36 minutes to read}
I just attended a monthly peer group meeting with my mediation colleagues. One of the subjects that came up, and generated a lively discussion, was the need we humans have “to be right.” Which typically means that the other person must be wrong when he or she doesn’t agree with us.
What Happens When Only One Person Wants the Divorce?
{Read in 1:10 minutes} A mediation colleague of mine, Rachel Alexander, recently posted an excellent blog explaining why mediation is the best process for divorcing couples, especially when each of the parties is at a different stage of wanting, or not wanting, the divorce.
Children and Divorce – Why Mediation is Better
{3:36 minutes to read} Last week, I heard Dr. Robert Emery speak at a symposium on parenting and divorce sponsored by FamilyKind, the NY Chapter of AFCC and Hofstra University School of Law. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to hear about his insightful and continuing work with divorcing families and their children.
Emotions and the Magic of Mediation
{3:12 minutes to read} In my last blog, I spoke about the 4 elements that come into play when couples are going through a divorce. The elements are:
- The Legal Divorce
- The Financial Divorce
- The Children’s Divorce
- The Emotional Divorce
What are the 4 Elements of Divorce?
{3:30 minutes to read} When most people are going through a divorce they don’t think about the various elements that come into play during this difficult process. They are often overwhelmed with emotions (anger, resentment and sadness, among them) that come up during this extremely difficult time of their lives.
The Importance of Empathy
{3:54 minutes to read}
In my last blog, entitled Whatever Happened to Civility, I discussed some of the basic tenets that hopefully form the framework of our relationships with others. These include:
- Acknowledging others;
- Listening;
- Respecting others;
- Being inclusive;
- Accepting and giving praise; and
- Speaking kindly.
Whatever Happened to Civility?
{3:06 minutes to read} I’ve been thinking a lot recently about Civility, especially with everything that’s been going on in the U.S. political arena and the stark difference between the two presidential candidates. I suspect that young people today may not even recognize the word or know what being “civil” actually means. It has fallen out of use in today’s world.
