Category Archives: Mediation | Eileen Coen, JD Family and Divorce Mediation
Is Divorce Stress Making You Sick?
Is divorce stress making you sick? If you’re in the midst of a separation or divorce, you’re probably no stranger to stress — but did you know that the higher conflict your divorce is, the more it puts your health at risk? This Psychology Today article is not new — but it offers a… Read More »
Paying for College: 3 Things Divorcing Parents Should Do
Managing College Expenses During a Divorce. Your child has met the college application deadline and the acceptances are rolling in… but for divorcing parents, there’s another worry: How are college expenses to be paid and by whom? States do not impose an obligation on parents to pay for their children’s college expenses and these… Read More »
Dating Before the Divorce Decree: Why it Pays to Wait
In a previous post, I offered tips for dating while separated. That article provides guidance to couples who agree that dating while separated is okay. But what rules apply when only one spouse thinks it’s okay to date before the divorce is final? Dating Before the Divorce is Final Let’s consider the case of John… Read More »
Four Strategies for Mediating a High Conflict Divorce
Mediating a high-conflict divorce. Sometimes people assume that the only way to handle their divorce with a high-conflict partner is to “lawyer up” and “buckle down” for the roller coaster ride. Statistically, this approach leads to increased conflict and less satisfaction with the results. There are also enormous financial and emotional costs, which can… Read More »
The “Quick & Dirty” on Dating While Separated
If you and your spouse are separated and you’re feeling anxious to meet someone new… this Valentine’s Day might have you wondering whether, and when, it’s okay to date. Having a conversation about dating is difficult but important to do before either spouse ventures out on dates. Back by popular demand, I’m re-posting a… Read More »
Do Misrepresentations in Divorce Corp Undermine Needed Change?
Divorce Corp: Proceed with Caution After viewing the Divorce Corp trailers, I wrote in my last article that I hoped the documentary would generate a national dialog about how our family law system could better serve families in transition – and, in particular, encourage alternatives to courtroom battle as the norm. Since then, I’ve… Read More »
Coming Soon: Divorce Corp the Movie in 2014
Family Law Professionals Beware: A new documentary set to debut on January 10, 2014, purports to expose appalling excesses and injustices rampant in the U.S. family law system. The documentary, Divorce Corp, portrays the American divorce litigation system as a multi-billion dollar industry that takes advantage of vulnerable people and leaves a world of… Read More »
3 Tips for an Amicable Divorce
Tips for an amicable divorce. It’s no surprise that every January I hear from people who have resolved to bring a peaceful end to their marriages. By the time someone contacts my family and divorce mediation practice, they’ve been contemplating divorce for a long time and have concerns about the impact of divorce on… Read More »
Does “Mediator Certification” Matter?
Yes and No. In the mediation world, practitioners debate whether mediators ought to be certified and, if so, how to do it. Some courts allow only “certified mediators” to be placed on court rosters, but most simply require that mediators have completed a 40-hour training class. And in the private sector, there are no… Read More »
Getting Out of the Emotional Rut: Finding the Road to Peace
Divorce is one of life’s major traumas. On the famous Holmes and Rahe stress scale, divorce is the second biggest stressor after the death of a spouse. At the same time, the trauma of divorce usually goes hand-in-hand with other stressors on the scale, ranging from moving out of the family home to facing… Read More »
