Explore Creative Solutions That Take Into Account Your Family's Unique Dynamics
The Four Conversations:
Separation, Co-Parenting, Dividing Property & Cash Flow
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Separation
Deciding how to physically separate can be a difficult conversation. Discussions regarding the finances of physical separation and what arrangements work best for your family are often the first conversation. |
Co-Parenting
If you are a parent, you must have a conversation to decide how to co-parent the children in two different homes. |
Dividing Property
If you have accumulated property and debts during the marriage you must have a conversation about how to divide those items. |
Cash Flow
If you are not financially self-sufficient you must have a conversation about cash flow; how the income streams that have been supporting one household will be divided to support two households. |
These conversations can be very difficult and painful and it may feel intimidating to have them with your spouse.
How you have these four conversations is vitally important.
With CDSS, you can choose to work with a single mediator or with a collaborative team.
How you have these four conversations is vitally important.
With CDSS, you can choose to work with a single mediator or with a collaborative team.
Divorce Mediation allows these conversations to take place outside of court, allowing the parents privacy, confidentiality, and control over the conversations and what happens to the family. In mediation, the mediator actively assists you in productively moving through the Four Conversations, while giving you the opportunity for reflection and discussion that you would not have in a court proceeding.
As you determine how to reshape your lives in accordance with your values, the mediator will guide you but will allow space for creative solutions that take into account your family's unique dynamic. In many cases, this is a healthier and less combative way to have these conversations.
As you determine how to reshape your lives in accordance with your values, the mediator will guide you but will allow space for creative solutions that take into account your family's unique dynamic. In many cases, this is a healthier and less combative way to have these conversations.
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In short marriages and marriages without children, the spouses may find that they are able to effectively talk about these matters "at the kitchen table." A mediator can assist in making sure all areas are addressed and can efficiently draft the Memorandum of Understanding at the conclusion of the mediation.
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Couples who have been married for a substantial period of time, who are raising children together, or who are experiencing conflict and difficulty communicating may find it more effective and safer to have these conversations in mediation conferences with a skilled neutral. The parties can decide whether to attempt to resolve the issues in one meeting or to set up multiple meetings if they choose.
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Child Custody
Parents can agree to mediate their child custody issues at any time; but once a case is filed in court, North Carolina requires mandatory mediation as the first step in the custody process.
Either parent, a person with whom the child presently lives, or a person with whom the parent agrees the child should live with may file for custody of the child.
The child must be a resident of North Carolina and have been living here for at least six months. There is no cost for the mediation provided by the county.
Attendance at the mediation orientation and the mediation itself is mandatory and a parent may be held in contempt of court for not being there at the specified time.
If the parents do not resolve their custody dispute in mediation, they are both required to attend a parenting course before going to trial.
Either parent, a person with whom the child presently lives, or a person with whom the parent agrees the child should live with may file for custody of the child.
The child must be a resident of North Carolina and have been living here for at least six months. There is no cost for the mediation provided by the county.
Attendance at the mediation orientation and the mediation itself is mandatory and a parent may be held in contempt of court for not being there at the specified time.
If the parents do not resolve their custody dispute in mediation, they are both required to attend a parenting course before going to trial.
Divorce Mediation is a facilitated process in which spouses will discuss what will go into their Separation Agreement with the help of a skilled, neutral mediator. This process is appropriate for non-married partners as well. The mediator does not provide legal advice: at the conclusion of the mediation, the parties will receive a Memorandum of Understanding, the document cataloging their agreement. If the parties choose to reduce their Memorandum of Understanding into a Separation Agreement, attorneys are required to draft that legal document.
All couples regardless of marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity are welcome to participate in these collaborative processes at CDSS.
All couples regardless of marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity are welcome to participate in these collaborative processes at CDSS.
Mediation is not just for 'simple cases.' CDSS mediators specialize in working with interfaith couples, couples in high conflict, and families with issues with special needs children. Let us help you."
We are closed on federal holidays and when the North Carolina court system is closed. For up-to-date information about our office hours, including inclement weather closings, please follow us on Facebook. |
