The Mediation Process in Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court

mediation_process.jpgAlternative dispute resolution can be a wonderful tool in divorce cases. Montgomery County’s Domestic Relations Court, along with many other divorce Courts, have adopted mediation conferences as a voluntary or, in some cases, mandatory prerequisite to trial. I am focusing this article on how that process works in Montgomery County.

So one might ask, “What is mediation?” In this context it is essentially a way of resolving disputes between the husband and wife and to hopefully eliminate issues in the divorce case.  In Montgomery County there are two neutral mediators (facilitators) involved in the session(s). One is a lawyer who has experience as a divorce court magistrate and the other has a family services social worker background.  They work to assist the parties to negotiate their own settlement. They can let the couple know what the laws are, but not give legal advice, and try to guide them through the complicated process in a way that helps them find solutions.

Lawyers may or may not attend the mediations. The sessions are completely confidential. No notes or writings generated by the parties or their lawyers in the mediation are allowed to leave the room. The mediators will generate a report indicating … Read More... “The Mediation Process in Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court”

Before You Start Swinging…Call the Dayton Mediation Center!

bad_neighbor.jpgHave you ever had a dispute with that grumpy neighbor next door or across the hall to the point that the two of you were ready to exchange words…or blows?  Ever have a dispute with a shady landlord who was trying to evict you for no good reason? Have you ever had intense disagreements with your family members over when or where to send one of your elderly parents after it became just too hard to provide proper care for that parent at home anymore? If you can answer “yes“ to those or to any other stress inducing interpersonal conflict you may have, resolving that conflict at the Dayton Mediation Center is an option you may not have known was available.

As a divorce attorney who understands that many big problems can be avoided if conflict can be addressed as soon as a small situation arises, I recently visited the Dayton Mediation Center to find out exactly how they help people solve their conflicts.  Michelle Zaremba, the Director of the Center, explained their mission and what mediation is all about.  She was quick to point out that mediation is not negotiation (“if you get this, then I want that…”), going … Read More... “Before You Start Swinging…Call the Dayton Mediation Center!”