If I had a dollar for every time I heard the following, I would be writing this article from my own private island somewhere in the Caribbean. Almost every day, I hear from couples and parties who have gone through the litigation process and when they meet with me I am told…… -Where were you 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago? -I did not know mediation existed or was an option! -We depleted our savings, retirement accounts, children’s college savings, or had to sell our home, just to pay for the attorney and legal fees! -We ran out of money...Read More

This is a very common question I receive when couples or parties in a matter come to me for a consultation. What is fair is 100% up to the parties. As a mediator, I am a neutral third-party facilitator who is there to facilitate and clear away the barriers and underlying issues so that there can be an agreement that both sides can live with not only now but also in the future. Everything that goes into the final agreement is what the parties want and nobody knows what is best for them, their financial future and their children but...Read More

1. How long is it going to take? On average, the mediation process will take anywhere from 2 to 6 sessions. From start to finish, it will take anywhere from 3 to 9 months, which includes the filing of all papers with the court and final Judgment of Divorce. Both timelines could be more or less, depending on the couple and the issues that have to be resolved. By comparison, the litigation process takes years. If it goes to trial, you will be lucky to get there within 2 years. Again, depending on the couple and the issues, it could...Read More

Mediation is a process. As long as two or more people are willing to sit down and discuss important issues then mediation is possible. It is important to disclose all issue, problems and concerns so that the process or working out a solution that all parties are comfortable with is possible. What started out a a problem, issue or list of problems actually becomes the topic of detailed discussion and results in a settlement that all parties can live with. Jeffrey M. Bloom, Mediator http://www.mymediationservices.comRead More

It is interesting observing couples when they start the mediation process seem like they can barely sit in the same room together much less agree on anything of significance. However, soon afterwards in the second or third session, they are both on the same page and working together to agree on what is important in moving forward with whatever issues need to be addresses. Jeffrey M. Bloom, MediatorRead More