How Do I Tell My Spouse I Want a Divorce?
{4:24 minutes to read} Not infrequently, when someone first calls me to discuss the possibility of divorce mediation, they will mention that they have not yet brought up the subject with their spouse. The caller (the initiating spouse) typically describes a marriage that has not been good for some time; the marriage no longer works for him or her and it needs to come to an end.
Mediation Helps Couples Successfully Untangle Their Lives
{1:42 minutes to read} “Never cut what you can untie.” Joseph Joubert, French essayist This aphorism came to my attention recently when one of my colleagues was giving a presentation at our annual conference for the NYS Council on Divorce Mediation. I was immediately struck by the wisdom contained in its 6 simple words.
How Is Mediation Different From Therapy?
{3:24 minutes to read} Both mediators and therapists play important roles in helping couples who are experiencing difficulties in their marriage. When couples come to me for divorce mediation, I find that at least half of them have spent time, recently or in the past, working together with a therapist to try to save their marriage. I certainly view this as a positive sign. At least the couple has tried to work through the issues in their marriage, even if it didn’t ultimately work out.
Can a Mediator be Omnipartial?
{1:00 minutes to read} I explained in my last article that I would be reposting two earlier blogs on the subject of mediator impartiality, since this topic is of great interest to clients and professionals alike. The second blog was entitled “Can Mediators be Impartial and Address an Imbalance of Power?”
Mediator Impartiality: Is It Possible?
{3:24 minutes to read} Two of the most frequently read articles I’ve posted on my blog have addressed the subject of mediator impartiality or neutrality. While both articles were published nearly three years ago, this subject is as relevant and important today as it was then. And after re-reading these articles, I don’t think I could say it any better now. So, without further ado, here’s a link to the first article entitled “Can a Mediator Really be Neutral or Impartial”?
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.
What Should You Look For in a Divorce Mediator?
{3:12 minutes to read} There is a combination of important qualities that I believe divorce and family mediators must possess in order to do the best job possible for their clients. I describe these qualities below, as well as some of the ways to ascertain whether your soon-to-be hired mediator possesses them.
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.
