The Handbook Of Divorce Mediation

Mediation, as a procedure to assist couples in dealing with the problems incident to their separation and divorce, is still relatively new in the United States. For the would-be practitioner, that poses certain problems. Divorce mediation cannot provide a long history of generally accepted procedures. Nor is there even a body of information to which would-be practitioners can turn for instruction or guidance. And, of course, there are no established schools that can train or prepare a practitioner to do this work. To make matters worse, the situation is likely to remain in this state for some time to come. Given this fact, it was felt that it would be useful for practitioners (even for those already engaged in divorce mediation) to have a handbook which would trace a typical mediation from its inception to its conclusion and which would provide them with the substantive informa tion they need to know in order to do divorce mediation. It is hoped that this handbook will fill this need. Having said that, however, it must be acknowledged that the purpose of this book is very much beyond that. Until now, divorce mediation in the United States has been shaped principally by such books as O. J. Coogler's Structured Mediation in Divorce Settlements: A Handbook for Marital Mediators, 1 and John Haynes' Divorce Mediation: 2 A Practical Guide for Therapists and Counselors.

Topics covered include an overview of mediation, dispute resolution, mediation in practice: issues, procedures, skills, custody and access, support and property, professional conduct.

Building on the success of their groundbreaking 1988 Divorce Mediation, Folberg et al. now present the latest state-of-the-art, comprehensive resource on family and divorce mediation. Paving the way for the field to establish its own distinct discipline and academic tradition, this authoritative volume offers chapters contributed by leading mediation researchers, trainers, and practitioners. Detailed are the theory behind mediation practice, the contemporary social and political context, and practical issues involved in mediating divorce and custody disputes with contemporary families. Authors also address intriguing questions about professional standards and where the field should go from here. A groundbreaking resource, this volume is indispensable for all mental health and legal professionals working with families in transition.

Though we all enter marriage hoping for "forever," nearly half of American marriages end in divorce. But divorce no longer has to mean pain, exhaustion, or suffering. Today, you can choose to mediate your separation or divorce and save yourself time, money, and aggravation. Mediation enables couples to create custom-made agreements that work for everyone and that pave the way for an amicable future relationship. In this accessible question-and-answer guide, two experts offer solid advice and cover all the bases. Among the hundreds of entries inside you'll find answers to your most basic questions: o How do we find a mediator? o How does court-ordered mediation work? o What are fault and no-fault grounds for divorce? As well as your most confusing issues: o We have children but we never married, and now we're splitting up. Can we use mediation to provide for our children in the future? o Our baby is still nursing. How does that affect custody and visitation? o Does child support include medical bills? Health insurance? o How do we decide who gets the frequent flier miles? Who gets the dog? o If we sell our home, how do we divide the proceeds? o Am I entitled to a portion of my spouse's Social Security benefits? o When we complete our separation agreement, do we need new Wills and any other new documents? An invaluable resource section, with a listing of mediators around the country as well as other sources of information, makes this book an essential tool for any couple about to separate. Whether you're contemplating separation or are in the midst of a complex divorce, this book will empower you, will provide you with a base for entering into negotiations, and will offer support and guidance throughout the process, from both a legal and emotional perspective. Most importantly, it will provide you with immediate, straightforward advice for all your questions.

A one-stop resource for couples who want to spare themselves and their children the destructiveness and costs which result from an unfriendly divorce, this detailed mediation road map walks couples through each step of the process and shows how to reach a fair and reasonable settlement. Charts & worksheets.

No matter your profession (attorney, clinician, family therapist) or skill level (seasoned professional or novice), The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution is an invaluable resource that outlines the most effective mediation approaches, techniques, and skills. The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution is a practical and comprehensive guide that includes * A review of professional ethics and standards * Help for attorneys who are not trained in the skills needed for working with families * Information about cultural issues that affect families during mediation * Highlights of key legal and negotiation skills * Guidelines for understanding complex family dynamics and conflicts * A screening tool for evaluating domestic violence * A matrix for starting discussions of parenting plans based on children's needs * An examination of specialized practices for family mediation * Direction for assessing one's professional approach to family mediation

First published in 1989. This book contains a straightforward, unembellished articulation of the how to of family and divorce mediation, enabling the reader to bring it to successful conclusion; emphasis on process and technique is amply illustrated by case presentations and analyses. The authors provide a well-thought-out discussion of the differences between mediation and counseling, and throughout the book, in their exposition of the mediation process, make clear how this differs from the adversarial process.