RELATIONSHIP & FAMILY

Co-Parenting | Elder Mediation| Interpersonal Mediation | Marital/Couples Mediation | Non-Traditional Families | Post-Divorce | Pre-Nuptual Agreements

CO-PARENTING

“It really hurts my feelings when my Mom says bad things about my Dad.  I love them both; I wish they could be nicer to each other.”

Even though you are separated or divorced; parenting will not end.  Children’s development and emotional well-being benefit from a stable relationship with each parent. Although you may disagree on many issues, you still need to work together for the benefit of your children.  Collaboration and effective communication are essential for successful co-parenting.

Co-parenting mediation can help you to:

• Separate interpersonal issues from parenting issues
• Navigate conflict in new ways
• Create a shared parenting agreement
• Clarify boundaries and expectations
• Improve communication

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ELDER MEDIATION

Are you caught in the “Sandwich Generation”,  juggling the demands of your job, your kids and your aging parents? 

Life changes are inevitable as we age. Elder mediation helps adult children and their aging parents adapt to these changes, jointly make decisions and plan for the future.  With a focus on improved communication, family members are able to address the issues which may cause a shift in their relationship.

Some of the issues that mediation can help with:

• Driving and Transportation
• Finances
• Intra-family Conflict
• Living Arrangements
• Caretaker Needs
• Medical Decisions
• Intergenerational Relationships

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INTERPERSONAL MEDIATION

“My co-worker and I can’t agree on what to do with this project. I wish we could handle our differences in a more productive way”

Conflict can have a positive outcome. Managing differences with a family member, co-worker, neighbor, roommate or friend can strengthen the relationship if you can change how you communicate with each other. Mediation provides a forum for open conversation, understanding and mutual problem solving leading to strengthened relationships.  Resolving your conflict helps you to continue to live or work together more harmoniously with respect and value for your differences.

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MARITAL/COUPLES MEDIATION

“We fight about the same things all the time.  We can’t seem to break the cycle yet we love each other and really want our marriage to work.”

Ongoing disagreements cause tension in a relationship that can strain it to the breaking point.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  Marital mediation can help couples learn to talk across their differences and reach agreements that benefit the relationship.

How is Marital Mediation different than couples therapy or counseling?

Therapy explores your internal process and your history with the goal of increasing self knowledge and understanding so that your life will work better.  Mediation is focused on the present time and the specific obstacles that you are faced with.  It is a problem solving process designed to identify areas of conflict and structure mutually acceptable agreements for change.    

Marital mediation is not a substitute for therapy. It can be a complementary process chosen when a more immediate solution is needed rather than in depth explorations.

What types of conflicts can Marital Mediation address?

• Communication difficulties
• Financial disputes
• Division of household chores
• Child rearing practices
• Career conflicts
• Intimacy issues
• Religious practices
• Living arrangements
• Health and medical care

No matter how entrenched and hopeless a conflict may feel it can be mediated.

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NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES

“It’s hard to know what to do without knowing how the laws apply to our situation”

Mediation is particularly well suited for creating or dissolving domestic partnerships in both heterosexual and same sex relationships.  It can also help blended families improve communication and clarify expectations as they struggle to adapt to a different family structure.  In mediation you are able to maintain your privacy as you work together towards a new future.

Some of the issues or concerns that can be discussed in mediation may include:

• Budget or money management
• Combining or dividing assets
• Debt allocation
• Child or partner support
• Co-Parenting
• Custody and visitation
• Division of household responsibilities

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POST DIVORCE

“Now that the kids are older, they don't want to go to their father's house over the weekend."

Have your circumstances changed since your divorce agreement was written?  Circumstances that were not anticipated at the time of the divorce may require modification of your existing agreement.

Mediation gives you the opportunity to communicate and resolve issues that have come up after the realities of your new life have settled in.  Even though you are no longer married your conflicts can still impact the welfare of your children. They can benefit from witnessing their parents address conflict constructively, make rational decisions and move forward.

What types of issues can Post Divorce Mediation address?

• Relocation
• Differences in household policies involving rules and discipline
• Support reductions / increases
• New partners or stepparents
• Modification to parenting plans
• Payment for major celebrations, higher education or special activities
• Family relationships with siblings, grandparents, blended families
• Religion and culture
• Scheduling changes

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PRE- NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

“I love him; I don’t want him to think that I don’t trust him”

If you are entering into marriage or a domestic partnership with assets, debt or children you might have uncertainty about how these will impact your future together.  Through mediation you can mutually develop guidelines to protect your interests while acknowledging the love you have for each other.

Some of the issues that can be discussed in mediation:

• Finances
• Extended or Blended Families
• Assets
• Inheritance
• Education
• Business Interests
• Personal Debt