Divorce/Separation Mediation

Mediation and Collaborative Action Group has pioneered a multi-disciplinary, co-mediation approach to resolving conflicts that arise with marital discord. For couples that find the judicial system threatening and would like to keep the divorce process amicable and reduce conflict, mediation is an excellent alternative.

Mediation is a respectful and fair approach to resolving conflict for separating and divorcing couples. It involves an honest exchange of information between spouses, considering their children their highest priority. Experience has shown that children benefit greatly when their parents negotiate a mutually agreeable settlement. We believe, when parents are comfortable with the separation agreement, especially custody and visitation rights, the children are better able to adjust to the divorce.

When a marriage dissolves there is a degree of built up animosity between the divorcing parties and we, as co-mediators, are trained to teach couples how to negotiate disagreements. Divorce doesn’t have to be a process where there are winners and losers. More than 90% of all cases settle outside the judges chambers. Mediation is voluntary, nothing happens without the consent of the parties’. The goal as neutral co-mediators is to ensure that both parties feel that their issues are being acknowledged and addressed, and then the right decisions are made to ensure there will be "LIFE AFTER DIVORCE". One of the most frustrating aspects of divorce is not knowing your options about the divorce process and how to get through the emotional upheavals. We provide a safe environment to explore feelings of anger, guilt, fear and sadness. Communication in mediation is privileged and cannot be used as evidence.

Our co-mediation style of divorce mediation has advantages over the traditional model. We have found that our unique co-mediation approach affords couples more balance, comfort and professional attention than mediation practiced by solo mediators, including:

• Clients benefit from the skills of the combined expertise of two skilled professionals with varied backgrounds in mental health and finance (at a cost comparable to that charged by a solo mediator).
• The mediation team serves as a role model for spouses by demonstrating mutual respect while identifying problems and seeking mutually acceptable solutions together.
• Our co-mediation style of divorce mediation is more likely to promote an atmosphere of trust, comfort, and fairness than the atmosphere provided by one mediator.

Divorce or separation affects every aspect of your life, especially your financial situation. With the help of our neutral Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, you can plan for the future. Mediation and Collaborative Action Group’s Certified Divorce Financial Analyst helps to provide a clear and complete financial picture so that an accurate, fair and equitable divorce settlement can be achieved more quickly. Prior to a settlement, regardless of the process you utilize, we can provide several financial evaluations to ensure all financial issues are being addressed.

Perhaps our most important role in the divorce process is in projecting the long-term viability of a proposed after-tax settlement option. We prepare spreadsheets and charts which can provide you with a sense of how you will survive financially. Many financial questions arise when dividing up property, such as, "should I keep the house or take the retirement pension?" "will I have enough money to retire?" "what lifestyle will I be able to afford?" Through personalized charts and graphs both spouses can have a clearer view of their financial future and can approach a settlement that fully addresses their financial needs.