DIVORCE THROUGH MEDIATION, COLLABORATION OR LITIGATION?

Process choice can be tricky. Most of us would like to avoid the courtroom if at all possible, but how do mediation and collaboration work? How do you determine which divorce model is right for your circumstances? And when is it appropriate to choose litigation?

Melissa Goodstein has extensive experience in both mediation and the collaborative divorce process. She has been practicing mediation since 1993, and she received her training in the collaborative model in 2003. Her practice is located in Katonah, New York. Melissa serves on the New York State Council of Divorce Mediation, the Greater New York Council of Family and Divorce, the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals as well as the International Association of Collaborative Professionals.

Today, Melissa joins Katherine to discuss the roles comfort and willingness play in determining which process choice is the right fit. She walks us through the mediation process, explaining the confidential nature of this method and the necessity for both divorcing partners to feel comfortable speaking their truth. Melissa addresses how the collaborative divorce process differs and why each party has an attorney-advocate to help communicate their values and employ creative problem-solving to reach an agreement. Listen in to find out which cases are appropriate for the litigation model and learn when mediation or the collaborative process might be more fitting.