The Mediation Process

The goal of our mediation team is to help you negotiate and resolve issues such as custody, visitation, property division and support. Once both sides have agreed to use divorce mediation as an alternative to hiring separate family law attorneys, Dishon & Block will schedule an initial meeting session.

During this first session, both sides receive an orientation to the mediation process and you can ask any questions that you wish. We offer the mediation orientation because getting divorced and choosing a mediator are very personal, important decisions. We want to make sure you choose the right professional mediator and mediation office for your needs. The number of sessions needed to reach agreement depends on the complexity of the issues, and upon the parties' ability to work toward a solution.

Often, people find they need more information before an agreement can be reached or before the session can continue. When this occurs, we can either move on to another issue, or stop the session and schedule another appointment, so either party will have time to gather the information they need, speak to accountants, lawyers, or other advisor(s).

Mediation works best when people don't feel rushed to make an agreement and when they have all of the information they need to make a good, informed decision.

After agreements are reached, the mediation team prepares all of the legal paperwork. You sign the final agreement only when you are completely satisfied. No court appearances are necessary.

Initial Appointment

• An initial appointment is held during which both spouses attend and the general goals of the parties are discussed.
• A written agreement between the parties themselves as well as the mediator is reviewed and signed.
• The mediator will assign certain tasks at this initial meeting, such as bringing in certain documentation for the next meeting.

Subsequent Appointments

• A series of subsequent appointments are then conducted. Most will consist of a conjoint sessions (both spouses and the mediator) but sometimes the mediator may have individual meetings (one spouse and the mediator).
• The number of appointments will depend on the number of issues the spouses need to negotiate and the degree to which they are willing to compromise.
• The frequency of appointments is scheduled according to how much time spouses need to complete "homework assignments" and/or to "think" between sessions.

Agreement

• At each session the mediator makes detailed notes of agreements as they are reached.
• When all issues are resolved as a result of the mediation sessions, the mediator will draft a settlement agreement-a document summarizing the agreements that have been made.
• The mediator will recommend that the spouses take the agreement to a "consulting attorney" to look over the final document before signing.
• Once signed, the Judge sends the document to Court for approval and the matter is concluded.

Divorce Mediation