Many of our clients find us through referrals from friends, family members, co-workers, or therapists. Everyone knows someone who has gone through divorce, and it is often useful to learn from their experience. Other clients find us online, after googling “mediation”, “divorce mediator near me”, “parenting”, “alimony”, etc.
Either way, finding a mediator is just the beginning. Once you reach out to a divorce mediator, either through email or by phone, how do you know whether you should choose her to help you through this potentially stressful process?
At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we suggest that divorcing clients seeking mediators ask the following questions before making an appointment:
1. Do you have experience dealing with the types of issues presented in my
situation? For example, if you are a high earner with a low earning spouse or vice
versa, have they seen that before? Will they be able to help you create a parenting plan that works for your particular family situation? If you have special challenges
like mental health issues or debt, have they successfully addressed that before?
2. How much do you charge? Find out whether there is an hourly fee or a set fee for
the whole process. Ask whether the process is “pay as you go” or if a retainer is
required. Learn what the average cost is for clients, and what happens if you need to pause the process for some reason.
3. How long is the process? Ask how many meetings there will be, and the length of the meetings. Are they in person or virtual? Do they offer times when you are
available, e.g., mornings, evenings, weekends?
4. How is the mediation process structured? What do you leave with at the end of the
process?
After you have gathered this information, consider how it meshes with your own vision of how the divorce mediation should go. In addition, you should think about whether you felt comfortable communicating with the mediator.
Because this can be a difficult process, that most people only go through once, you need to trust your instincts on whether the mediator is going to be a good fit for you and your family.
For more information about divorce mediation, please contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, M. Ed., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373. View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com.
Either way, finding a mediator is just the beginning. Once you reach out to a divorce mediator, either through email or by phone, how do you know whether you should choose her to help you through this potentially stressful process?
At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we suggest that divorcing clients seeking mediators ask the following questions before making an appointment:
1. Do you have experience dealing with the types of issues presented in my
situation? For example, if you are a high earner with a low earning spouse or vice
versa, have they seen that before? Will they be able to help you create a parenting plan that works for your particular family situation? If you have special challenges
like mental health issues or debt, have they successfully addressed that before?
2. How much do you charge? Find out whether there is an hourly fee or a set fee for
the whole process. Ask whether the process is “pay as you go” or if a retainer is
required. Learn what the average cost is for clients, and what happens if you need to pause the process for some reason.
3. How long is the process? Ask how many meetings there will be, and the length of the meetings. Are they in person or virtual? Do they offer times when you are
available, e.g., mornings, evenings, weekends?
4. How is the mediation process structured? What do you leave with at the end of the
process?
After you have gathered this information, consider how it meshes with your own vision of how the divorce mediation should go. In addition, you should think about whether you felt comfortable communicating with the mediator.
Because this can be a difficult process, that most people only go through once, you need to trust your instincts on whether the mediator is going to be a good fit for you and your family.
For more information about divorce mediation, please contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, M. Ed., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373. View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com.
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