By Nancy Grundman, Program Coordinator and Mediator
“We tried to do it ourselves, but it was too overwhelming”, “Why is it so easy to get married and so difficult to get divorced”. As the Family and Divorce Program Coordinator at MV Mediation, I constantly here these and statements like these from individuals reaching out to learn more about Family and Divorce Mediation. In our Family and Divorce Program at MV Mediation, we work with parents and/or couples who want to divorce or separate, or sometimes, are not sure what “next steps” they want to take. As the Program Coordinator, I speak to each person individually to explain what mediation is all about.
• Family and Divorce mediation is a voluntary, confidential, and flexible process in which a neutral mediator assists disputing parents to come to mutually acceptable solutions. It provides a structured approach that can help to minimize the friction that may be present during spousal/partner settlement conversations. It does this by creating a non-confrontational atmosphere that encourages spouses/partners to put their best foot forward when they are presenting their thoughts and concerns to one another. They do not have to know now what they want at the end of the mediation process, whether it be divorce, a healthy separation or a reconciliation. A fair number of our family/divorce cases begin with sessions to negotiate various immediate matters or concerns.
• Mediation employs the use of a neutral and impartial third party — a mediator — to help the parties reach a compromise that they can both find acceptable. Mediators do not act as attorneys and offer no legal advice — they guide the parties through conflict and negotiations. MVMP mediators are Massachusetts qualified according to Mass General law. They are trained to be neutral, impartial and work to create an unbiased atmosphere for productive conflict resolution and agreement.
• MVMP Family and Divorce mediators are Massachusetts certified. They understand the process of divorce as well as child custody and other parenting conflicts. MVMP is able to provide it clients with the resources to complete and file a divorce in probate court, should that be their wish.
• MVMP charges on a sliding fee schedule based on the combined income of the participants. MVMP does not turn anyone away for inability to pay.
• MVMP is in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration’s Parent Mediation Program (PMP). This is a program for parents who are no longer able to be together but still want to co-parent. Mediation allows parents the opportunity to discuss how to best arrange their on-going co-parenting agreements. Through this partnership, because of grant funding, there is no cost for up to four hours of mediation when discussing PMP eligible parenting plan, access and visitation issues.
• Each Mediation Session uses the co-Mediation Model and is performed on Zoom for approximately 1 ½ - 2 hours.
For those who complete the mediation process with MVMP, it warms our heart when participants reach and to let us know, “we could not have done it without you”.