If you and your spouse are
having trouble reaching an agreement, you should consider mediation.
A mediator specializes in helping people reach an agreement that is fair
and will last. The sessions are confidential. A mediator's role may
be limited to custody. You may also ask to cover other issues such as
marital property if you choose. Mediation is not appropriate in cases
where there is a genuine issue of physical or sexual abuse of the child or
one of the parties. It is also important to get a legal advisor for this
process. The mediator's role is not to take sides, but to bring the two
sides together. Additionally, if the mediator is not an attorney, he/she
may be unaware of some specific legal issues.
How to find a family law mediator
Several states require mediation in custody and
visitation disputes and a number of others allow courts to order
mediation. In these situations, the court will direct the parents to the
mediator and will pay for the services. Parents can also find and pay for
the mediator themselves. With increasing frequency, family law attorneys
are offering mediation services for child custody and other
divorce-related disputes, as are a number of non-lawyer community
mediators. Two resources for finding a family law mediator in your area
are:
Academy of Family Mediators
5 Militia Drive
Lexington, MA. 02421
Telephone: 781-674-2663
Fax: 718-674-2690
Email: afmoffice@mediators.org
Website: http://www.mediators.org
Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR)
1527 New Hampshire Ave., N.W. #3
Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone: 202-667-9700
Fax: 202-265-1968
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