What is mediation? Divorce and custody mediation are ways to resolve your dispute while staying in control of the outcome. Unlike arbitration or litigation where a judge or arbitrator make all final decisions, you and the other party will find your own solutions to the issues at hand. Mediation is an empowering, cost effective method of settling a dispute so that you can avoid the emotional and financial burden of a lengthy legal battle.

How does the process work? Divorce mediation and/or custody mediation typically consist of several joint meetings between both parties which last 3-4 hours each. During those meetings, you and your spouse (or partner) discuss the issues which need to be resolved in your case with an attorney-therapist mediator team. The mediators are there to facilitate the discussion, assist with communication, provide information and suggestions, and use specialized training to help the two of you develop (and write up) an agreement which feels fair to you both. If you have children, our mediation experts work to ensure that the settlement and co-parenting plans protect their best interests as well. Working with both an attorney-mediator and therapist-mediator provides you with access to legal information and expertise as well as professional guidance with the emotional, communication and relationship issues related to resolving your dispute. These effective co-facilitators ensure that the legal issues are addressed and resolved as healthily and peacefully as possible. In this process you will not only have the opportunity to resolve your divorce or custody dispute, you will also learn invaluable communication skills that will enable you to avoid or manage future conflicts.

Mediation is cost effective. Mediation is cheaper because it's faster and more direct. Most people opt for mediation because they are eager to stay in control of the process and the outcomes and are ready to work with the professionals and each other to achieve this. Even if you opt to have your own lawyers involved with your mediation process, they won’t be spending hours and hours in court waiting for the judge to hear your trial or billing for endless back-and-forth phone calls about the smallest details of your case.

In addition, mediator fees are lower than most top divorce lawyers and, on average, clients resolve their cases in mediation in 4 to 10 hours… with a total cost that’s often more than 75% less than they’d spend on a traditionally litigated divorce or separation.

Mediation services for divorce and custody disputes through Talk Works are offered in collaboration with Peace Talks, Inc. For more information please visit www.peace-talks.com.