Divorce Mediation an Overlooked Option

“Cutting Your Losses: A Divorce Can Be Painful Enough Without Having Lawyers End Up With the Bulk of Your Assets” (June 22) failed to mention family law mediation as a cost- and time-effective and less-stressful settlement alternative for divorcing couples.

The mediation process involves both the husband and wife meeting with a family law mediator in a nonconfrontational environment. Hopefully people will seek out family law mediators who have gone through the entire 60-hour specialized family law mediation training. It is also helpful to use a mediator who is also a family law attorney and is therefore well-versed in the applicable law.

The mediator-attorney who completes the 60-hour training is specially trained to assist the couple in dealing with the emotional and financial implications of divorce and facilitating settlements between the parties. While remaining neutral, the mediator-attorney is able to advise both parties of their respective rights and obligations under the law.

Also, mediator-attorneys who work in teams with therapist-mediators can also counsel people with respect to child custody and related emotional issues. By opening up a dialogue between the parties, mediators are able to help guide the couple to arrive at an equitable settlement that both parties can live with.

Usually this process only takes a few sessions and is much less expensive than both parties hiring separate attorneys.

ELLEN FRIEDMAN TINERO

and RHONDA L. RAUCH

Attorneys, family law mediators

Family Law Mediation Center Inc.

Encino