GETTING STARTED
Initial telephone calls
Before scheduling your first mediation session,
we will speak with each party by telephone. There is no charge for
this consultation. We use this initial meeting as an opportunity
to describe our mediation process and answer questions you may have.
We want to give you as much information about mediation in advance
of your first appointment, without charge. When you come to the
first session, we are then able to utilize most of our first session
as a working session.
First mediation session
During this session, the couple reviews and signs
the "Mediation Agreement", which is an agreement between
the couple and the mediators concerning the basic rules and understanding
of the mediation process. The mediators then begin to work with
the couple to define the issues and discuss options. The parties
will often have work to do outside the session to prepare for our
next session.
Session length
Typically, each session length, including the
first session, is two hours long. Anything less than two hours does
not provide sufficient time to work on the issues and make noticeable
progress.
Subsequent mediation sessions
Future mediation sessions continue to focus on
the issues to be resolved, with the mediators working with the couple
to guide and facilitate communication and to explore all possible
options. Generally, sessions are scheduled every several weeks,
but meetings can occur more or less frequently, depending on the
parties' needs. It is important that the parties allow enough time
away from the mediation process to consider the evolving agreement
and to research and gather information.
Your Agreement
Drafting your Agreement is an extremely important task. The written
form of your Agreement is the culmination of your work and efforts
throughout the mediation process. As mediators, we are most familiar
with the content of each session and the intent underlying each
part of the Agreement, and therefore we are best prepared to commit
your Agreement in writing. We then meet with you to review the final
draft of your Agreement and revise it, if necessary. Afterward,
you will review your written Agreement with your attorney prior
to our last session.
Final Session
After you have had sufficient opportunity to review
the final draft with your respective attorneys, we will meet to
discuss any other issues before signing the Agreement. Your Agreement
becomes part of the final court order.
Our ultimate goal is to work with you to
prepare an Agreement that withstands the test of time. We want to
ensure, as best as we can, that after the passage of time, you can
look back on your Agreement and still feel that you "did the
right thing."
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