A Guide to Divorce Mediation: How to Reach a Fair, Legal Settlement at a Fraction of the Cost »

A BETTER CHOICE

For every couple planning a divorce, there is now an alternative to high legal fees, endless haggling, rancor, and recrimination. It's called divorce mediation, and no one is better able to explain how it works-and how it might work for you-than its foremost authority, Gary J. Friedman.

In this book filled with practical guidance and insight into negotiation, Gary Friedman details what each couple must bring to the mediator-motivation, responsibility, and a willingness to both agree and disagree. And he explains the mix of legal, psychological, and spiritual perspectives that the mediator offers in return.

The result: cause for hope.

INCLUDES TWELVE IN-DEPTH CASE STUDIES AND A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR FINDING MEDIATORS

"The author, an experienced attorney/mediator, has provided the reader with an invisible seat at the mediation table. A very helpful book for those considering mediation."

(Judith S. Wallerstein, Ph.D., author of Second Chances: Men, Women & Children a Decade After Divorce)

PART ONE: AN INTRODUCTION TO MEDIATION

Choosing Mediation

How to decide whether the process is right for you.

An Inside Look at Mediation

What goes on behind the closed doors-laying the ground rules, getting to the heart of the issues, uncovering solutions.

Choosing a Mediator

The questions to ask to ensure that you make a wise decision.

PART TWO: THE CASES

To Mediate or Not to Mediate

Martin and Claire prove that for mediation to work, both parties must truly want to participate.

Would I Lie to You?

Honesty is a key to successful mediation, as Louise and Kurt learn the hard way.

Implacable, Immutable, Inflexible

Nick and Marie wrestle with the issue of spousal support-Nick would rather go to jail than pay it.

Tell Me What to Do

Mediation involves making sometimes-painful decisions for yourselves, a process that Annie and Roger would rather avoid.

If I'm Not Yours, Who Am I?

Dennis and Mimi are at opposite ends of the Spectrum. He desperately wants to divorce; she desperately does not.

The Deep Pocket Strikes Back

Money is the issue for Becky and Eric; he's got plenty but would rather not part with it.

A Case of Abuse

Les and Christine discover that the legacy of physical abuse is not easily overcome and that violence and mediation don't mix.

It's Your Fault

Allison and Hank each blame the other for the failure of their marriage. The question is whether they can get beyond the attacks and reach a settlement.

A Separate Grief

Devastated by the death of their baby, Jake and Claudia can't even be in the same room together. But by mediating separately,they break the stalemate and begin to heal their wounds.

The Balloon that Burst

It takes only two sessions for Lainie and Tom to come to an agreement, but it all falls apart when Tom consults an outside lawyer.

Too Early to Run

Jim and Sally want to divide their property, arrange spousal support, and devise a co-parenting agreement all within a week-and they haven't even separated yet!

A Change of Heart

Darla and Larry are on the verge of an agreement when Darla's deep-seated resentments surface and turn the mediation on its end.

AFTERWORD: Cause for Hope

RESOURCES: A Guide to Finding a Mediator Near You

INDEX