Benefits of NHDM Mediation
Save Time and Money
Mediation is significantly less expensive than going to court. Studies have shown that mediation can be from one-third to one-tenth the cost of litigation.
Reach Lasting Agreements
Mediation participants create their own solutions. As a result, studies show that they are more likely to abide by those agreements, thus avoiding the cost and stress of ongoing legal battles.
Preserve Relationships
Mediation focuses on the future. When people in mediation have children or ongoing relationships, they have an opportunity to put their best foot forward during a difficult time rather than choosing a more adversarial process. We use ground rules and create a safe environment to help participants work out difficult issues in a respectful and constructive process. Clients often find ways to communicate more effectively during the mediation process. Mediation also uses problem solving techniques that can help avoid conflict in the future.
Maintain Control
In mediation, the participants are in control of the timing – not the Court. Mediation is efficient because your neutral attorney mediator will provide the legal information you need to facilitate productive communication between the participants at the table. Your attorney mediator is trained to help participants communicate productively at the mediation table so that you may determine for yourself how you wish to proceed and keep the process moving.
OUR MISSION
The mission of New Hope Divorce Mediation (NHDM) is to provide divorcing couples with educational tools and options to make well informed decisions so that you may retain control of your divorce process and in turn, your future. Mediation is a cost effective, respectful alternative structured to resolve the issues involved in obtaining a divorce. Our goal as your divorce mediator is to ensure that you are clear about your rights and the decisions you make to resolve your issues.
WHO CAN MEDIATE
Anyone who is willing to make a good faith effort to mediate their dispute can and should mediate. Mediation is a voluntary process so participants must willingly agree to walk in the door, but you don’t need to agree to the terms of your divorce. Your attorney mediator will provide you with creative options and solutions to your outstanding issues. It is common for communication between the participants to be challenging or non-existent, however, mediation may still be appropriate. We use Ground Rules and create a safe environment so that participants can work through difficult issues and reach agreements.
DIVORCE MEDIATION
We specialize in family law mediation. Divorce can be an extremely difficult time and contemplating a divorce is often overwhelming. That is why we have created a structured process to help participants through the entire divorce process, one step at a time. We don’t use legal jargon or confusing terms. We know that our job is to help you get all of the information you need to make decisions that will work for you now, and in the future.
CUSTODY MEDIATION
If you have children, mediation is a process that serves the best interests of your children. In our private, confidential mediation process, both parents work together to resolve any issues related to your children. We will draft a comprehensive Parenting Plan that will provide structure and predictability for how you will co-parent your children in the future. Making these decisions for your children today will help you avoid conflict in the future.
WHAT TO EXPECT
One of the first statements we hear from potential divorce mediation participants is, “I have never gone through this before.” We want you to be clear and comfortable about the steps involved in the divorce mediation process.
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INQUIRY
The divorce mediation process begins with your inquiry either by completing the contact form on this site, or by calling us at 855-222-HOPE (4673). Feel free to ask questions about our divorce mediation process, and when you are ready, we will schedule your initial consultation.
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CONSULTATION
At your initial free consultation, which we will schedule via Zoom video conference, we will have the opportunity to meet so that you may learn more about the process and determine whether you feel comfortable proceeding with divorce mediation. At the conclusion of your consultation, you will be quoted a set fee for your entire divorce process.
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MEDIATION
You will be educated on the relevant divorce law so that you can make well informed decisions and agreements for yourself and your family. During your mediation sessions we will address your issues of equitable distribution, child support and/or custody, alimony, debt allocation and other concerns material to your divorce.
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REVIEW
After the completion of your final divorce mediation session, we will draft your Settlement Agreement which will be personally tailored to address your needs and unique set of circumstances. Once drafted, we will meet once more for a session earmarked specifically to review the terms of your Agreement to ensure that your Settlement Agreement accurately reflects your expectations.
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ATTORNEY DRAFT
A draft of your Settlement Agreement will be prepared for you to bring to an Attorney for review.
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COURT DOCUMENTS
We will draft your court documentation and assist you through the court pleadings process until you receive your final Divorce Decree which will incorporate your Settlement Agreement as a court order.
Benefits of NHDM Mediation
The participants must conduct themselves with respect toward each other and their mediator.
The participants should understand that they will need to work hard toward compromising and maintaining flexibility throughout the divorce mediation process.
The participants will need to cooperate with each other to resolve their outstanding differences. In particular, participants will need to use their
best efforts to commit to the mediation process to arrive at a resolution of their issues and not threaten litigation without compromise.
The participants acknowledge that there is no formal discovery process in mediation and that they must fully and voluntarily cooperate and
disclose all relevant, material information.
All communication with your mediator about substantive issues will occur with both parties present or by email to all parties.
Neither blame nor fault should be brought into the divorce mediation session.
Decisions regarding the children are prioritized, and children should not be used as bargaining tools.
THE KITCHEN TABLE
The Kitchen Table option is suitable for people who have already agreed on all of the terms of their divorce and who are looking for a professional to draft their agreed upon terms into a legally binding and sound Settlement Agreement. This option is best suited for young couples who have had a short term marriage and no children. The couple will receive a questionnaire which they may complete around their own kitchen table. Your attorney mediator will then use this information to draft the Settlement Agreement.