When explaining community property laws during divorce mediation, clients frequently respond: “But he didn’t pay for any of my new car or the monthly payments. It is all coming from my income – you’re saying that he is entitled to half of its value?” or “So you’re saying it doesn’t matter if she was unfaithful?…
As a mediator I provide divorcing couples with legal information as opposed to legal advice. However, wanting my clients to have additional support from an independent attorney if either one or both of them wants it, I also provide my clients with a list of what I call “mediation friendly” attorneys who can give them…
Few events impact one’s life as profoundly as a divorce. During this time, major life decisions are required related to one’s children, finances and living situation, to name a few. Intense emotions often accompany these decisions and discussions; hurt, sadness, frustration and anger are often involved. So, it is no wonder that divorce is estimated…
1. Agree to put the best interests of children first and foremost in all decision making. Indeed, include this in writing as part of the mediation ground rules, with the understanding that the mediator can remind the parents of this should one or both of them lose sight to it. 2. Construct a cooperative parenting…
Video Transcript Oliver Ross: “The difference between legal separation and divorce (in Arizona) is that the marriage continues in legal separation, where in divorce the marriage ends. That’s pretty obvious. With legal separation, the marriage continues, but the community is separated. In other words, as of a certain date in the court process, each spouse’s…
After a moment’s contemplation, Mary responds: “I tried for a long time. He wouldn’t go to counseling and now he says I’m the one who hasn’t worked on it. I can’t live with him anymore—with his drinking and all. I never know when he’s going to yell at me or the kids.” “Oh sure, Mary….
John and Mary Smith arrive at my office for a pre-mediation consultation. Mary had called to arrange for the consultation, informing my assistant of her intent to divorce John. Just as passengers preparing to travel by airplane select a particular airline, flight, and seat number, people preparing for mediation such as Mary and John select…
Scottsdale divorce mediator explains the process of a collaborative divorce Video Transcript Oliver Ross, Owner of Out-of-Court Solutions: “Collaborative divorce is a process in which each spouse, each party to the divorce, has their own attorney and the attorneys involve accountants if there is substantial amount of assets involved. The attorneys might involve psychologists, if…
It is important to keep yourself centered during a divorce Video Transcript Oliver Ross, Glendale Divorce Mediator: “I would suggest the actions you take are directed towards getting yourself centered while in the midst of the emotions that are so common and normal for people to experience when they’re considering divorce; the anger, the sadness,…
During a divorce, decisions regarding the marital home often involve difficult financial and emotional considerations. The divorcing couple must decide whether one person will stay in the home, whether the home will be sold, and, regardless of the disposition, will need to agree on the current fair market value. When the home in question is…
Video Transcript Oliver Ross, Out-of-Court Solutions: Hi, I’m Oliver Ross, I’m the founder of Out-of-Court Solutions, and I’ve been mediating in Mesa, Red Mountain and Downtown Mesa, and the surrounding East Valley cities for the last 18 years. My background is in the law business and psychology. I practiced law in California for 19 years…
Video Transcript Oliver Ross, Out-of-Court Solutions: Hi folks, I am Oliver Ross. I am the founder of Out-of-Court Solutions and I’ve been a full-time mediator here in Phoenix for the last 18 years. Before that I practiced law in California for 19 years. I was a trial lawyer and then I went through my own…
