Mediation is an alternative way to reach agreements in divorce, dissolution of domestic partnership, custody and support issues, and post-marital issues. Your mediator is an impartial guide who assists the decision making and focuses the agenda and conversation. If you are parents, the mediator will guide you towards a child-centered agreement while respecting both parents’ rights and the children's needs.

Mediation has many benefits:

• Decreases negative feelings and misunderstandings by identifying each party’s goals and concerns. Learning to communicate around difficult issues can make your future better with less conflict and easier problem-solving, which is especially important if you have children together.

• Offers flexibility by finding solutions that work for your unique situation, without the limitations of the court system. You are in control of the process and outcome.

• Protects your privacy by moving the negotiations from a public courtroom to a private space. Mediation meetings are confidential.

• Works with your schedule instead of the court’s overburdened calendar which sometimes delays resolutions considerably.

• Conserves resources. Litigation is also costly so in addition to saving time, you are also likely to save money. Typically both parties share the cost of mediation.