Divorce Without Court: A Guide to Mediation and Collaborative Divorce, 5th Edition

Description

Cover Title Page Table of Contents Divorce Without Court: Your Best Option What Exactly Are Mediation and Collaboration? Why Mediate or Collaborate? Consider the Alternative Divorce Decision Spectrum Mediation or Collaboration: Still a Better Option for Divorcing Same-Sex Couples You’ve Decided to Mediate: When Do You Start? Divorce Law in Your State: How to Get Accurate Information Getting the Most Out of This Book 1: The Role of Mediation and Collaborative Law in the Divorce Process The Four Divorces Keeping It Simple: The Uncontested Divorce Beyond the Basics: The Contested Divorce Long-Term Effects of a Contested Legal Divorce Mediation and Collaboration: A Different Way to Divorce 2: What Happens in Mediation An Overview of Mediation Introductory Stage Information-Gathering Stage Framing Stage Negotiating Stage Concluding Stage Assessing the Cost of Robert and Fran’s Mediation 3: What Happens in a Collaborative Divorce An Overview of Collaborative Divorce Introductory Stage Information-Gathering Stage Framing Stage Negotiating Stage Concluding Stage Assessing the Cost of Cole and Traci’s Collaborative Divorce Traci and Cole’s Collaborative Divorce Agreement 4: Deciding to Mediate or Collaborate Is Mediation or Collaboration Right for You? It Takes Agreement of Both Spouses Comparing Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Making Your Choice Between Mediation and Collaboration 5: Proposing Mediation or Collaboration to Your Spouse When to Propose Mediation or Collaborative Divorce Who Should Propose Mediation or Collaboration? How to Propose Mediation or Collaborative Divorce Dos and Don’ts of Proposing Mediation or Collaboration Sample Letter Proposing Mediation Sample Letter Proposing Collaborative Divorce 6: Finding a Mediator Finding the Right Mediator Qualified Mediators: What to Look For Finding the Right Fit Who Provides Mediation Services Screening and Interviewing Potential Mediators Interviewing and Selecting a Mediator 7: Finding a Collaborative Attorney Finding the Right Collaborative Attorney Qualified Attorneys: What to Look For Finding the Right Fit Screening and Interviewing Potential Lawyers Interviewing and Selecting a Collaborative Lawyer 8: Using Advisers and Doing Legal Research How and When to Use Advisers in Mediation The Role of Family and Friends in Your Divorce Legal Adviser Counselor Financial Adviser Specialized Advisers Coordinating Your Advisers Finding Answers to Legal Questions: Legal Research Online and Off 9: Getting Started on Information Gathering Step One: Remember Vital Statistics Step Two: Assess Your Children’s Needs Step Three: Locate and Copy Important Documents Step Four: Inventory Your Assets and Debts Step Five: Summarize Your Income and Make a Budget Step Six: Pause to Reflect 10: Preparing for and Making the Most of the First Session Getting Ready Mediator Approaches and Styles Mediator Neutrality and Bias Confidentiality of the Mediation Agreement to Mediate Take Time to Make Notes 11: Evaluating Your Progress in Mediation or Collaborative Divorce Evaluating the Decision to Mediate Evaluating the Decision to Use Collaborative Divorce Monitoring Your Progress in Mediation or Collaboration 12: Communicating in Mediation orCollaborative Divorce What Is Communication? What Can Go Wrong in Communications? Tips for Good Communication Tips for Communicating About Problems Handling Strong Emotions in Communication 13: Negotiating in Mediation orCollaborative Divorce We Negotiate All the Time What Makes for a Successful Negotiation? Prepare for the Negotiation Negotiate Clearly, Firmly, and Respectfully 14: Court-Sponsored Mediation Types of Court-Sponsored Mediation Programs How Court-Sponsored Mediation Works Voluntary Mediation: To Try or Not? Mandatory Mediation: Opting Out If You Can’t Opt Out of Mandatory Mediation Preparing for Court-Sponsored Mediation Attending the Mediation Session After the Mediation Session 15: Encountering Difficulties in Mediation and Collaboration Four-Step Approach to Dealing With Difficulties Discrepancies Between This Book and Your Experience Delays and Disconnects Tantrums and Other “Bad” Behavior Extreme Discomfort in Mediation Impasse: Negotiation Hits a Brick Wall Last-Minute Changes and Demands Dealing With Persistent Problems Leaving Mediation Without Burning Your Bridges Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way 16: Writing Up the Divorce Agreement Interim or Temporary Agreements Partial Agreements Why Put Interim and Partial Agreements in Writing? Writing Up the Final Settlement and Finalizing Your Divorce 17: Women and Men in Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Historical Background Gender and Mandatory Mediation Gender and Voluntary Mediation Common Gender‑Related Obstacles 18: Unmarried Couples in Mediation and Collaboration Untying the Nonmarital Knot: Opportunities and Pitfalls Successful Mediation or Collaborative Separation 19: Mediation and Collaboration After Divorce Dealing With Changes in the Divorce Agreement If You Decide to Mediate If You Decide to Collaborate Mediating New Relationship Issues Appendix A: How to Use the Downloadable Forms on the Nolo Website Editing RTFs List of Forms Available on the Nolo Website Additional Notes on Editing the Downloadable Forms in Divorce Without Court Appendix B: State Court Websites Index Book Registration and Updates Additional Divorce Resources at Nolo.com