Parenting Plan Mediation
The goal of parenting plan (custody) mediation is to enable parents to continue to raise their children, free of conflict, even when they are not living in the same household. Rather than spend time and energy gathering evidence on everything that’s wrong with the other parent, with my help, parents will work together to craft a plan to raise their children into healthy productive adults. Among the issues that will be decided by the parents are: the “schedule” for when the children will be with which parent; where the children will spend holidays and vacations; how often the children will see grandparents and extended family; who will make decisions concerning religious upbringing, medical care, and education; when and how new romantic partners will be introduced to the children; and any other issue that is important to the parents.
Rather than have the courts impose a decision on the family, the parents get to decide what is best for them and their children. If they want, before the case is settled, the parents can try out different schedules to see how they and the children adapt to them, without having them written in stone, so that by the end, they can reach an agreement that works for everyone. If there is already a custody arrangement in place and it isn't working well for the children or the parents, I can mediate a modification of the arrangement to suit the changing needs of the family. If the family is working with a therapist for the adults or the children, I will be happy to include the therapist’s input into the discussions, if the parents so desire.
By using mediation to resolve these issues, the parents can shield the children from confict. And the resulting plan can be presented to the children by the parents with a united front, as something that they decided together in the best interests of the children. Studies have shown that, where the parents agree on a parenting plan, there is a greater likelihood that the plan will be adhered to by the parents, saving precious time, energy, and money on court enforcement actions.
Testimonials
Robin is a consummate professional of high integrity and will always be my first choice for legal services. In addition to being a legal expert and practitioner of collaborative law, she is always direct, articulate, and motivated to provide the best services and advice to her clients.Steve DeGloria
Articles
Gray Divorce
Many of the divorces I mediate are for couples in their 50's or 60's, known as "Gray Divorces". The emotional, financial, and social issues involved make these divorces particularly suited to the creativity and flexibility inherent in mediation, rather than the "one size fits all" approach of litigation.
ON-LINE MEDIATION NOW AVAILABLE
In these time of social distancing, I am offering on-line conflict resolution services using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and Google Hangouts. Call to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Divorce Now or Later? Timing Matters!
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Negotiate in Mediation for What You Need -- And Get It.
Face it: most of us are not very good at asking others for what we need. We tend to come off as either too aggressive or wishy-washy. Moreover, when we're in conflict, our asking skills tend to deteriorate into either demanding bitchiness or passive-aggressiveness that descends into resentment. Not a good look, on anyone.
But, there's a way to ask for what you need and to enlist others in giving it to you, by being respectfully assertive. It requires communicating clearly what your needs are, how others' behavior affects you, and enlists others in satisfying your needs.
Cohabitation Mediation - What I Wish I'd Known Before Moving in Together
Much less planning goes into cohabitation than into a wedding, but it is, in many ways, a bigger legal, financial and emotional step.