The first section deals with why and how mediation works, the roles that you and the mediator play in the process, and the benefits of using mediation. It helps you determine whether your case is appropriate for mediation and whether or not you should involve an attorney.
People who get divorced can save tens of thousands of dollars by mediating. The second section deals exclusively with divorce mediation and how you can protect your children by replacing a custody battle with a negotiated parenting plan. This section tells you how to design an agreement that will provide flexibility to both parents, as well as the children, over time.
Another benefit of mediation is healing, which can occur when both parties have an opportunity to speak and be understood. Unlike a litigated divorce, which often ends in a bitter courtroom scene, a mediated divorce usually ends with a signing ceremony in which each person is given the opportunity to create a positive ending to the process, and to end the marriage without rancor and bitterness.
The third section describes how employers and employees can keep workplace disputes from escalating, by turning to a mediator at the first sign of difficulty. The fourth section explains how you can resolve a variety of other types of disputes, including arguments with neighbors, insurance claims, and consumer conflicts. It also includes information about how to mediate prenuptial agreements and post-divorce modifications of child support and pare! nting plans.
Section five tells you how to negotiate effectively. It gives you specific strategies for maximizing your chances of succeeding in mediation. Section six gives you an inside view of the three different types of mediation and provides assistance in making a selection that will work for you. You will learn how to assess a mediator's qualifications, and whether or not you should choose a team of mediators.
Once in awhile, mediation doesn't work. In those cases, your next step should usually be to submit your case to an arbitrator for binding arbitration. Section seven warns you about what to avoid when choosing an arbitrator and gives you a guide to estimating the costs connected with using this process.
Affordable Justice contains a directory of hundreds of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and Canada, listed by state and province. It also contains a directory of referral sources, so that you can obtain additional referrals from professional organizations.
