The Divorce Mediation Handbook: Everything You Need to Know

by Paula D. James

Overview

A FriAndlier and Less Expensive Divorce

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

The Divorce Mediation Handbook does much of this work for you. Itexplains the mediation procedure and reassures your clients thatthey can indeed work out their divorce in a reasonable and civilmanner in mediation. It also gives them a great deal of informationabout

* 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 thedivorcing couple an encouraging and highly informative book toprepare them for your first session and the work ahead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787908720
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/15/1997
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.07(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

PAULA JAMES a family law attorney with 15 years of experience, is a full-time mediator, national speaker, and trainer in family law mediation. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Table of Contents

CHOOSING TO MEDIATE.

How Mediation Differs from Litigation.

Is Mediation the Best Choice for You?

Choosing a Mediator.

The Role of the Mediator.

Conferring with a Family Law Attorney.

THE PROCESS OF MEDIATION.

Before the First Session.

The First Session (and What Happens Next).

How Agreements Are Reached.

The Emotional Hurdles—What Works.

What Doesn't Work.

PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN.

Your Children's Needs.

Planning Your Children's Future Care.

FINANCIAL FAIRNESS.

Analyzing Your Assets and Debts.

Dividing It All Up.

What About Alimony?

Editorial Reviews

"This is a well organized and straightforward book, written ineveryday language, with easily accessible anecdotes the reader caneither identify with or gain perspective from them." (MediationNews)

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

"Based on her extensive experience as a divorce mediator, PaulaJames explains why couples seeking a divorce should mediate and howto do so. Clear, interesting, informative. A must read for troubledmarriages." (Robert Coulson, former CEO of the American ArbitrationAssociation)

"The real strength of this book is its detailed discussions of theissues a divorcing couple must address, regardless of how theydissolve their marriage. . . . Recommended for consumer lawcollections."

'The Divorce Mediation Handbook should be offered to divorcingfamilies by court clerks, clergy, lawyers, therapists, andmediators. Paula James has demystified the mediation process andthis book helps divorcing spouses make better informed choicesabout how to take control of their lives, protect their legalrights, and reduce the financial transaction costs in Anding amarriage.' (Forrest S. Mosten, certified family law specialist andmediator, Los Angeles, California and author of The Complete Guideto Mediation)

"[James] provides the reader a solid basis for understanding thepersonal costs of divorce, for both the spouses and the children.The book is well written and will well meet the needs of literateclients who are going through the divorce process, whether or notthey decide to use mediation."

From the Publisher

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

Library Journal