How many professionals does it take to get a divorce?  This is not the opening line of a joke, but a valid question. There is no exact answer because each person’s situation is different.  For some couples who go through mediation, the answer may be one- the divorce mediator.

For our clients at Westfield Mediation, LLC, we recommend that each person see his/her own review attorney in a limited manner- to fully understand their legal rights.  We don’t want anyone to worry later that he/she did not get a fair divorce settlement.  The attorney can also file any paperwork needed for court. We also recommend you see your tax advisor to understand the tax implications of the decisions you make about alimony and dividing your assets and finances.  Beyond that, it depends on each couple’s specific issues. Some people’s situation calls for a child or adult to get support from a therapist.  A person may need to be evaluated by an employment specialist regarding job opportunities and realistic expectations for future income.  Someone may want to see a financial planner to better understand how they can afford their lifestyle post-divorce.  A personal business may need to be evaluated by a forensic accountant.  A pension may need to be appraised by a pension appraiser.  Depending on the couple, they may need all of the above, or none.   

While the list seems long, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we have developed relationships with a variety of experts, and if your situation calls for additional professionals, we can give you a list from which to choose.  You always keep control over who gets involved and to what extent.  Knowledge is power and we want our clients to make well-informed decisions about their future.  We don’t pretend to know everything about everything.  We will point you in the right direction so you can get the appropriate support for your situation. 

We help people reach decisions regarding their divorce.  And sometimes the situation calls for information or support which is beyond our expertise.  Luckily for our clients, we know many experts and advisors who can help. 

For more information about divorce mediation contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, LMFT, at Westfield Mediation, LLC, at 908.913.0373.  View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com. 

The beginning of Summer means a lot of things – vacations, beach, pool, no school – and for divorced parents -- a big disruption to the parenting schedule.  For many families, the structure and order of the school year gives way to chaos when summer rolls around, and parents must struggle to cobble together a schedule that keeps their children safe and entertained.

So what’s the best way to deal with this problem? Plan ahead. Start early researching what programs are available in your area that would appeal to your children and fit your budget. If necessary, create a special savings account to cover these additional expenses. Talk to your ex about what his/her summer vacation plans are, and which weeks he/she is available to take the kids.  Create a joint calendar so that everyone knows where the kids and parents are going to be over this 10-week period.  Proper planning can make things work smoothly for everyone.

At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we generally include summer schedules in our parenting plans so that there is a framework in place.  While flexibility is required as the kids get older and the family’s needs change, it is useful to have a blueprint for summer plans that can be tweaked each year.  In addition, we can work with families to update and adjust parenting agreements that no longer make sense.

A workable plan-- made in advance -- is the key to making the summer a season of fun and relaxation.

For more information about divorce mediation contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, LMFT, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373.  View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com.