I have found that it does indeed take a village to raise my family.  I now happily accept my friend’s offer to drop off my kid after a play date, carpool for gymnastics, or pick up some Tylenol at the pharmacy when my kid has a fever.  I, too, am available to have your child over while you go to that meeting or to walk your dog while you spend the day down the shore. Raising a family takes a community.  Well, so does getting a divorce.

As a divorce mediator, I can draft an agreement that addresses your parenting plan, division of assets and debt, child support and spousal support (alimony).  I can guide the process to help you make important decisions about your future. However, I cannot definitively tell you how those decisions will affect your tax return.  That is what an accountant can do.  I cannot tell you what your house is worth. That is what a real estate agent can do.  I cannot give you legal advice or be your legal advocate.  That is what your
review attorney can do.  

I often get asked why all these other experts are needed.  I tell my clients that I am good at what I do, but I do not pretend to be good at everything.  I want my clients to get the best support possible when going through a divorce.  This means rallying the village.  Luckily, if my clients don’t have their own experts to turn to for advice, Westfield Mediation, LLC, has a list of mediation-friendly professionals in various areas to help.  Westfield Mediation, LLC offers a ready-made village for you.  

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.

Most divorcing parents are worried about how to make sure that their kids will thrive during a divorce. On Tuesday, September 24, Westfield Mediation, LLC and Open Door Therapy are offering a free presentation for parents to address this important issue. The program will be held at Westfield Mediation, LLC’s office – 1812 Front Street, Scotch Plains at 7pm. All attendees will receive one free half-hour of counseling from OpenDoor Therapy to be scheduled at their convenience.

The first part of the program will explain the divorce process, and discuss how children of different ages may respond to divorce. By showing the range of normal reactions, we let parents know what to expect. We will also guide parents in preparing their children and helping them cope with change and transitions.

The next part of the presentation will focus on helping divorcing parents improve their own lives. We will discuss how to co-parent effectively, while maintaining individual wellness.  By reducing their own stress, parents also help their children minimize the stresses in their lives. We will also explain how divorce mediation works. Divorce mediation is a means of reaching agreements with a spouse on issues of parenting and finances that reduces conflict in the family.  Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions about their kids and families throughout the program.

To register for the free program on Tuesday, September 24, please call Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908-913-0373 or email terri@opendoortherapy.net. Space is limited.