Westfield Mediation, LLC
  • Home
  • About us
  • Mediation Services
  • Resources
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Blog

Taking the stigma out of divorce

4/15/2016

0 Comments

 
Getting divorced is common and can happen to anyone, at any stage in one’s life.  With almost half of all marriages ending in divorce, the decision to separate should not be something that causes couples any embarrassment.  Indeed, Pope Francis’s recent inclusion of divorced Catholics in the Communion ceremony should help take some of the stigma out of divorce. Divorce may be the best solution to a failing marriage; and divorce mediation may be the best approach for getting there.

At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we provide our clients with valuable information about getting divorced. In mediation, we guide them through the process of creating a comprehensive parenting and financial plan for the future that works for their particular family. 

​As part of the divorce mediation process, we explain that getting divorced is not only common, it may also be a positive step forward.  Living in a home full of conflict and unhappiness is much more likely to have negative effects on the couple and their children than taking steps toward ending the marriage.  By creating a more harmonious plan for moving forward, couples reduce the stress and drama that have an adverse impact on their family. 

​For more information about divorce mediation, please 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

0 Comments

Common Questions about divorce mediation

4/1/2016

0 Comments

 
What is the difference between a divorce mediator and a divorce attorney?  Do I still need a divorce attorney if I am using a divorce mediator?  How can you do divorce mediation if you are not a lawyer?  These are the top 3 questions I get asked by clients and acquaintances several times a week, every week. 

Questions #1- The most critical difference between our two roles is that a divorce mediator is neutral and does not take either spouse’s side and a divorce attorney is your legal advocate and advises you in your best interests. A divorce mediator helps you and your spouse move the conversation along and reach mutually agreed upon decisions about all the issues of your divorce.  A divorce mediator meets with both parties whereas a divorce attorney only meets with one party- his/her client.    Conversations when using a divorce attorney happen like this- Sue, the client, meets with John, her attorney, who talks with Jane, the spouse’s attorney, who talks to the spouse, David.  David then talks to Jane who gets back to John who will then talk to Sue.  And the cycle continues for every issue that needs to be addressed.  In mediation, Sue and David meet with Michelle the mediator and discuss and decide on all the issues directly.  Things move quickly and are more amicable and less expensive.

Question #2- You should use a mediator and review attorney in conjunction with one another. A review attorney is a divorce attorney acting in a more limited role.   A review attorney can answer any of your legal questions, file the paperwork for court, and accompany you to court.  I liken the situation to the mediator being the starting pitcher and the review attorney is the closer.  Both are vital but different roles.  A review attorney will charge you significantly less than a divorce attorney because the review attorney is not your sole source of support and therefore has to do less work.  You do the heavy lifting about your decisions regarding your divorce in mediation.

Question #3- At
Westfield Mediation, LLC, all we do is divorce mediation, so I don’t need to be a lawyer because I am not practicing law.  As a mediator, my role is to facilitate communication about the issues of the divorce.  As a trained marriage and family therapist, I may be better skilled at this than attorneys.  If a question comes up about a law, I refer the client to his/her review attorney for clarification.  I focus on helping the couple make important decisions about their new futures. 

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
0 Comments

    Authors

    Michelle Weinberg, M.Ed.,LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with many years of experience working with couples.

    Randi M. Albert, JD, is an attorney with experience in family law and public service.

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Categories

    All
    Division Of Assets And Liabilities
    Divorce Attorney
    Divorce Mediation Process
    Money
    Parenting

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.