The Divorce Mediation Handbook: Everything You Need to Know [Paperback]

Paula James (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 078790872X | ISBN-13: 978-0787908720 | Publication Date: June 4, 1997 | Edition: 1

A FriAndlier and Less Expensive Divorce

Clients arriving in your office are usually confused about what mediation means, their legal rights, and how it's all going to be sorted out. You spAnd a good deal of your time just trying to educate them enough to proceed.

The Divorce Mediation Handbook does much of this work for you. It explains the mediation procedure and reassures your clients that they can indeed work out their divorce in a reasonable and civil manner in mediation. It also gives them a great deal of information about


* how children respond to divorce
* how property issues are addressed
* how future support may be considered
* how to prepare for mediation


Paula James, who has mediated over 600 divorces, offers the divorcing couple an encouraging and highly informative book to prepare them for your first session and the work ahead.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a consumer's guide to divorce mediation, an increasingly popular alternative to expensive litigated divorces. James, a Texas matrimonial attorney whose full-time divorce mediation practice began in 1992, is biased toward attorney-mediators, which may irritate mediators without a law degree. Never mind. The real strength of this book is its detailed discussions of the issues a divorcing couple must address, regardless of how they dissolve their marriage. After reading James's accessible treatment, patrons will have the courage to move forward with their divorce and will be more likely to choose mediation over litigation. James also includes a section of helpful forms for divorcing couples as they navigate the settlement waters, and a list of books for divorcing parents. Recommended for consumer law collections; libraries should also consider Diane Neumann's Choosing a Divorce Mediator (LJ 12/15/96) as a companion volume.?Julie Denny, Alliance for Mediation & Conflict Resolution, Inc., New York
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This is a well organized and straightforward book, written in everyday language, with easily accessible anecdotes the reader can either identify with or gain perspective from them." (Mediation News)

"An informative guide for everyone who is involved in the divorce mediation process." (Diane Neumann, past-president, Academy of Family Mediators and author of Choosing a Divorce Mediator: A Guide to Helping Couples Find a Competent Mediator)

"Based on her extensive experience as a divorce mediator, Paula James explains why couples seeking a divorce should mediate and how to do so. Clear, interesting, informative. A must read for troubled marriages." (Robert Coulson, former CEO of the American Arbitration Association)

"The real strength of this book is its detailed discussions of the issues a divorcing couple must address, regardless of how they dissolve their marriage. . . . RecommAnded for consumer law collections."

?The Divorce Mediation Handbook should be offered to divorcing families by court clerks, clergy, lawyers, therapists, and mediators. Paula James has demystified the mediation process and this book helps divorcing spouses make better informed choices about how to take control of their lives, protect their legal rights, and reduce the financial transaction costs in Anding a marriage.? (Forrest S. Mosten, certified family law specialist and mediator, Los Angeles, California and author of The Complete Guide to Mediation)

"[James] provides the reader a solid basis for understanding the personal costs of divorce, for both the spouses and the children. The book is well written and will well meet the needs of literate clients who are going through the divorce process, whether or not they decide to use mediation."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (June 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078790872X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787908720
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #428,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Law > Family & Health Law > Domestic Relations
  • #83 in Books > Law > Family & Health Law > Divorce & Separation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very easy to understand, June 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Divorce Mediation Handbook: Everything You Need to Know (Paperback)

I found this book to be very helpful to me. I needed to know if mediation was for me. Divorces can be very expensive (I have friends who have gone through them) and I didn't want attorneys to get the better deal. Chapters include how mediation differs from litigation. If it's the best choice for you. Choosing a mediator and their role. The process of mediation...children and finanacial issues. In essence, it takes you from start to finish. The scenarios with different couples were so varied that I am sure you will find a situation that is similar to yours. A must read if you want to know how it all works. I learned so much from this book that I would recommend it to anyone contemplating...

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, November 20, 2011

By 

Angela Rambo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Divorce Mediation Handbook: Everything You Need to Know (Paperback)

This handbook was worth its weight in gold. I read and applied the principles to my own mediation session and was amazed at how things went smoothly. I highly encourage anyone that is thinking about going through the mediation process to check this book out.