Protecting wealth is as important as creating it.  One of the greatest wealth destroyers is the process of divorce, and it’s destructiveness is often amplified by both parties total reliance on attorneys. 

Whenever I hear divorcing clients say “you’ll hear from my attorney”, I am amazed at how wasteful this process is.  These calls and visits are expensive, often several hundred dollars – for each person with each attorney.  Worse, they represent a pattern that becomes habit – calling the lawyer(s) and running up mountain sized bills.

Some of the most financially astute people fall into this trap and waste amazing amounts of money.  Surely there is a better and more economical way to work through the difficult process of divorce.  There is, in fact.  By referring at least a part of the divorce process to a mediator, the overall costs of divorce can be reduced, the process can be streamlined, and both parties will be better off.

Mediation involves the utilization of a trained mediator to bring together both parties and attempt to bring about and agreement as to the terms of the divorce settlement.  The agreement is then brought to one attorney who can complete the legal requirements of the dissolution of marriage.

A trained mediator should be skilled in interpersonal relations and communications.  They should also have a thorough understanding of the divorce process and personal finances.  There are associations and other referral service for mediators.  Often, attorneys will recognize that a divorcing couple would be better served through mediation, and will refer the process to their client.

In recent discussion with Brian James of CEL and Associates, we learned about how mediation can also be utilized in almost any dispute situation: business succession, inheritance, business disputes, tenant and landlord disagreements, and post-decree divorce matters. CEL is a good mediation option and they work hard to minimize the legal costs of any dispute brought to them.

We strongly encourage anyone involved in a dispute situation to contact at least one potential mediator. In most cases, the process will save time, result in a mutually satisfactory result and most of all reduce the legal fees involved in settling matters.