Choosing a mediator to help you and your spouse mediate your divorce should be done with the same care as you would choose a lawyer, doctor or other professional.
The first step is as easy as asking your friends, family and acquaintances for a referral. If by chance they do not know anyone, then you can contact professional associations and state entities. Many states keep online rosters of certified mediators, and these let you sort based on geographical location. Try to obtain at least three mediators.
Next contact the individual mediators. While most people think price is king in terms of buying any service or product, there are many variables that add value to anything you buy, and mediation services are no different.
When contacting the mediator, ask about their approach to mediation, how you can best prepare for it. Determine whether you feel comfortable with the mediator you are speaking with--even on the telephone it is easy to build a rapport based on the ability to listen and answer questions, and to form an impression of the person you are speaking with. If you find yourself unable to form an opinion as to whether this person can help you and your spouse communicate better, then please keep looking.
Ask about the mediator's training and experience in mediating the types of issues you and your spouse need to resolve.
You and your spouse must both agree to using any one mediator. Regardless of which mediator you both choose, understand that his or her ability to help you will depend not only on their training, but on both of you being willing to maintain an open mind in considering possible solutions to your legal issues. Mediators are not magicians, but they are trained to look for, among other things, those small things that you both agree on that can be used to build a consensus or agreement leading to resolution.
To find a certified family mediator in Florida, visit the Mediator Search page of the Florida Supreme Court's Dispute Resolution Center, which allows you to search for mediators by different variables like geographical locations and other demographics.
Vivian Rodriguez
www.FlDivorceMediation.com
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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