Consider family law mediation. Here are some questions: Can couples get divorced differently? Yes, of course! How do you want your divorce to be? Would you rather a third party make decisions for you? Does divorce have to be an all out battle?
Divorce does not have to be a war. With mediation, maybe there are still some bumps along the way, maybe even some rough terrain from the start, but if both sides are willing to come to the process in good faith, going through divorce can be different than the stereotype. Everyone has heard a story of a nasty divorce and huge amounts of money being spent, and there are plenty of those stories being created every day. If you and your spouse choose together to avoid litigation you can work to do divorce differently.
James Moore has years of family law and civil litigation experience, but he is also trained as a mediator. When serving as a mediator he does not represent or advocate for either side. He can help facilitate the discussion for the type of mediation process that the parties want to design. He can bring his knowledge of the law to discuss what the law says on various issues, but the law does not necessarily have to be controlling.
In litigation, the power ultimately rests with the trier of fact. In family law cases, that is the judge, commissioner, or private judge that hears the case. In mediation, resolution comes by agreement of the parties — the power is with the parties. Thinking about who has the power is a paradigm shift.
Mediation can be an avenue for informal exchange of information, for the parties to assess and prioritize what is most important, and for each side to be heard. The dialogue in mediation can resolve conflict on small and big issues. Divorce often involves hurt feelings, anxiety, and financial stress. Mediation can help with all those things. It can resolve a case without having to go to court at all. Jointly made agreements tend to lower stress and be longer lasting.
Call Law Office of James K. Moore to set up a mediation appointment for the two of you. Please note that if he meets with only one side he will have a conflict of interest so it is important that mediation involve both parties.