Détente mediation is the newest and smartest way to get divorced or to resolve post-divorce issues, especially if you have children. Détente is today's greatest improvement to the already proven success of mediation, which for decades has been the number one way divorcing couples or former spouses have resolved their disagreements. The concept is simple. Someone who has no personal interest in the dispute (a mediator) steps in to help them negotiate when they cannot find a solution by themselves. It works because the people involved in the conflict who know what is best for their own family keep control of the outcome rather than a judge deciding for them.
What makes Détente mediation the best yet? It is based on the concept of collaboration which has been shown in Texas to have a 93% settlement rate and to cost on average 20% to 25% of a fully litigated divorce. That's a full 75% to 80% savings. Each Détente mediation session is co-conducted by a family law attorney and a marriage/family counselor. That way couples get guidance on legal issues and procedure, and also meaningful help in dealing with anger, frustration, and emotions. If you need them, we can also bring in financial, tax, and real estate professionals, as well as parenting plan and child specialists who know you are trying to reach agreement and who will not take sides. We're here to help every step of the way, and we are comfortable mediating whether you have attorneys or not. Don't worry. If you are represented by counsel and you do not settle in Détente mediation, you will not have to get a new attorney.
Détente can be started at any time in the life of a divorce, even after. But it is best used at the beginning before you file a divorce or lawsuit to completely replace messy, public battles in court that damage children and make it hard for ex-spouses to successfully co-parent. For children, divorce statistics show that their well-being depends on how often and how fiercely their parents fight. Remember, you may no longer be husband and wife, but you will always be Mommy and Daddy. Your children want and need both of you to be there for soccer games, dance recitals, birthdays, graduations, weddings, births, illnesses, and funerals. If your parents are divorced and they cannot stand to be in the same room together, then you know exactly how that makes you feel. Children of any age have a better chance of having confidence, self-esteem, and healthy personal relationships of their own if their parents have a respectful, working relationship during and after divorce. Conflict is to be expected. But it does not have to destroy the family provided parents choose to handle their disagreements thoughtfully and sensibly.
Our focus is on your future. We teach you new ways to talk constructively with each other to reach meaningful and fair agreements rather than forever ending in a stalemate on old arguments. Détente mediation takes place in two hour sessions scheduled at your convenience with an agreed agenda for each meeting so there will be no surprises. Parties sign a written treaty in which they agree to negotiate in good faith, openly and voluntarily exchange financial and other information, and choose the best options for resolution that meet the needs of both parties. Reducing the conflict in this way keeps children safe from being put in the middle of a tug of war. Parents make logical and reasonable agreements that are in their and their children's present and long term best interests, rather than making impulsive, emotional decisions they may regret for a lifetime.
Détente is the alternative to having a judge decide what the rest of your life will look like or, on the opposite extreme, to "do it yourself" divorce with free Internet forms and no professional assistance. Try Détente and significantly reduce the cost and length of the divorce, and conserve your assets, cash, and property for your children and your future independent lives. In contrast, traditional mediation takes place at or near the time of trial when the parties have been to court several times, are at their wits' end, and frequently are out of money with only debt and attorneys' fees left to divide. Don't let that happen to you and your family.
Détente can also be effective in breaking impasses in collaborative law cases.
If both of you are ready and want to try to reach agreement, we can help no matter how much conflict there is. Call us today for a free consultation.
del.icio.us | 
Digg | 
Facebook | 
Google | 
LinkedIn | 
Technorati | 
Yahoo