Mediation is a mode that spouses can use to divorce and tends to be much less adversarial than traditional court oriented divorces. Parties hire a third party neutral to help them reach agreements. The mediator may or may not be an attorney, but having an independent attorney review any mediated agreement prior to signing is always advisable.
At The Law Office of Jennifer B. Ruben, we offer two different kinds of mediation: product and process.
Product: This is the “easy button” of divorce. We will ask you to complete forms to provide us the necessary information to create working final drafts of your divorce papers. Ms. Ruben will then schedule up to four hours to meet with both parties and go through the drafts together to answer any questions and fine-tune the agreement. This option is the most appropriate when parties agree on most outcomes but need some assistance working through a few discrete issues.
Process: This is a non-adversarial way to productively and respectfully create a personalized resolution in your case. Ms. Ruben cannot offer either party legal advice, but will keep the conversation legally-relevant and ensure that the documents created will be acceptable to the Court. This is an interest-based, problem-solving approach. Hourly rates apply, but are shared by both parties.
Parties working together towards resolution (lower conflict). Parties brainstorm and negotiate with each other in the presence of the mediator, who keeps the conversation productive and respectful.
Lower cost
Agreement is more important than outcome.
Mediator can provide information about the law and the legal process to guide the discussion – but can NOT provide legal advice to either party.
Mediator does not have any decision-making authority so parties may not reach agreement and may have to seek additional resources to come to resolution.
Mediator cannot file pleadings on behalf of the parties (but can assist in drafting them).