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Thinking of divorce or separation?\
Lay down your swords \'96 divorce in peace\
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\ul \ulc2 About Mediation\
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\ulnone \
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Divorce may be the most disruptive event your family will ever experience. Many contested divorces drag on in courts for years. The emotional and financial cost of these court battles can be astronomical. We offer a better alternative. By choosing mediation, you can ensure that divorce does NOT break you emotionally or financially. Mediation is a process where you can divorce peacefully, with a minimum of time and expense.\
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\ul What\'92s wrong with litigation?\
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\ulnone \
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When separation and divorce are contemplated, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, betrayal and rage are common. The adversarial system exacerbates these issues by pitting one spouse against the other. Attorney fees typically run into many thousands of dollars, and litigation also fans feelings of mistrust between the parties and causes the relationship to deteriorate further. Some couples end up agreeing to settle only because they are simply too tired or broke to continue.\
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\ul Why is Mediation a better alternative?\
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\ulnone \
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The mediation culture is vastly different. We help you and your spouse to work out an agreement you can both live with.  You will be able to control your own divorce, rather than merely hoping that the judge will make a decision that is fair to you.\
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Unlike in litigation where the lawyers control the process and you remain silent, in mediation you both speak for yourselves. We focus on issues that are relevant to you, and the ultimate agreement reflects solutions that are based upon your needs and concerns. Moreover, healthy communication skills are modeled, creating a pattern for future problem solving with your spouse.\
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The net result? A much quicker and significantly less expensive divorce, and a better future relationship with your spouse (if a continuing relationship is necessary).\
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\ul Who are the Mediators?\
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\ulnone \
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We are both experienced lawyers who have special training in divorce mediation.  We guide the process and teach people how to work together despite their feelings of anger or betrayal. Because we know the law, we are able to educate you about your rights and obligations, including financial and parenting issues.\
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Furthermore, we always remain neutral and have no favorites or hidden agendas.  We make sure that the playing field is even and no one feels intimidated. \
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Our goal is to ensure that by working together, you reach an agreement that works for the entire family. We know that the best interest of your child or children is of paramount importance for you.\
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\ul \'93You versus me\'94\
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\ulnone \
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Mediation is not about \'93you versus me.\'94 Here, we will help you to work \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0
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\ulnone  your spouse and reach an agreement. Unlike in a courtroom battle, mediation fosters an atmosphere of cooperation and fairness. It is a process that leads to genuine agreement between you and your spouse, rather than a ruling thrust upon you by a judge that doesn\'92t know you or your family.\
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\ul Private versus public\
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\ulnone \
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The court system forces a couple to take a private relationship and explode it for all the world to see. Although information about finances and lifestyle is shared in mediation, this information will never be made public. As such, any couples who prefer to settle their dispute in a private forum can feel free to be open in the mediation process.\
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\ul How does it work?\
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\ulnone \
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In the first session, we will explain the mediation process to you in detail.  We begin by discussing your needs and goals, and plan our sessions so they achieve what you want to achieve.  For example, some sessions may address issues such as a parenting agreement, spousal and child support, the marital residence and pension plans.\
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After the mediation sessions are completed, we will use our attorney skills to draft a legal agreement which will become a binding contract. This agreement may then be used as the basis for an uncontested divorce which we can file in court on your behalf.\
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Usually, we recommend that independent attorneys for each party review the final agreement before it is signed.  If you don\'92t have an attorney, we are happy to refer you to one who understands mediation.\
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\ul How long does it take and what does it cost?\
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\ulnone \
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Sessions are scheduled at times that work for you. Most people choose weekly or bi-weekly meetings. We usually complete a mediation in an average of 8-16 hours (rather than a year or three for a contested divorce in court). Fees are paid at the end of each session.\
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\ul Who can choose to attend Mediation?\
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\ulnone \
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{\listtext	\'95	}Couples with children\
{\listtext	\'95	}Couples without children\
{\listtext	\'95	}Couples with grown children\
{\listtext	\'95	}Couples who cooperate already\
{\listtext	\'95	}Couples who do not cooperate; the mediator will teach you skills to negotiate your divorce\
{\listtext	\'95	}Common law couples\
{\listtext	\'95	}Same sex couples\
{\listtext	\'95	}Couples who own property together\
{\listtext	\'95	}Couples who do not own property\
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\ul Benefits of Mediation\
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\ulnone \
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{\listtext	\'95	}Saves time\
{\listtext	\'95	}Saves money\
{\listtext	\'95	}Saves stress\
{\listtext	\'95	}Saves the heartache of a long courtroom battle\
{\listtext	\'95	}Keeps the matter private and confidential\
{\listtext	\'95	}Promotes communication and cooperation\
{\listtext	\'95	}Teaches skills which will help in the post-divorce relationship with your spouse\
{\listtext	\'95	}Helps the family rebuild instead of tearing it down\
{\listtext	\'95	}Benefits the children by reducing tension and fighting\
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\ul Do you need a lawyer?\
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\ulnone \
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During the mediation process the\'a0couple\'a0meets with the mediators and\'a0neither party\'a0needs an\'a0attorney.\'a0 You can choose\'a0to consult with an attorney either before or during the process if you would like to receive legal advice. As mediators, we do not act as lawyers for either party and cannot and do not\'a0provide legal advice. At the end of the mediation, we may recommend that\'a0each party reviews\'a0the agreement with\'a0his/her own counsel before\'a0signing the agreement.\
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\ul The courage to cooperate\
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\ulnone \
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The great poet Virgil once wrote: \'93Now whoever has the courage and a strong collected spirit in his breast, let him come forth, lace up his gloves and put up his hands.\'94  We know that you have the courage and conviction to come forth, unclench your fists, and reach out to the other side.\
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Mediation is about working together. There may be sessions in which fighting will occur, but we will help you learn from the disagreements and use positive conflict resolution techniques to avoid getting stuck in the quagmire of argument. Divorce does not have to be a \'93War of the Roses.\'94 If you lay down your swords and agree to negotiate in good faith, we assure you that mediation will enable you to divorce in peace.}