Mediation - Illinois Divorce Source

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How Does Mediation Work? by Joseph F. Dillon, MBA

To try and minimize the stress and cost an attorney-driven divorce will bring to you and your family, you’ve decided to learn more about the peaceful and cost-effective method of mediation. And wondering how does mediation work.

Use Mediation to Handle the F.E.A.R. Based Reasons of Divorce by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

If there is one thing that my clients can all agree on is that the transition between marriage and divorce is a scary time. And while I wish I could offer them a handy-dandy knob to turn off the fear like the one pictured in this post, in reality, it just doesn’t work that way.

Mediation Makes An Uncontested Divorce in Illinois Possible by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

By mediating your divorce, you both take an active role in the outcome, reaching a settlement you both find fair.Doing so also allows you to avoid the contentious and expensive process of a contested (i.e. litigated) divorce.

Why Virtual Mediation is a Great Option for Divorce by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

We all know that there are plenty of ways to get married, but what about ending a marriage? When many people think of divorce, they envision standing on opposite sides of a courtroom, letting two lawyers battle it out and a judge decide what’s best for them and their future.

Can I Use Mediation in a High Conflict Divorce? by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

It’s certainly no secret that mediation is the best way to get a divorce. It’s cheaper, it’s more amicable, you and your spouse stay in control of the entire process and you’ll achieve your divorce much faster than if you litigated. But what happens in cases of high conflict divorce?

Why is mediation the best choice for amicable divorce in Illinois? by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

If you know anybody who’s gotten divorced (and chances are you do), you’ve probably heard the horror stories. How it dragged on for years, how it cost tens of thousands of dollars and how it was the battle of the century. Many people mistakenly believe that this is par for the course – that this is simply how divorce has to be.

What is Divorce Mediation? - The Basics by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

If you’re considering divorce or have already made the decision to divorce, you’re probably aware that there are many options available to you. You can choose to hire an attorney and head to court. You can choose collaborative divorce, which is basically a watered down version of litigated divorce.

What Do Divorce Mediators Do? by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

So you’ve heard about mediation. Perhaps you know someone who used it for their divorce, or maybe you’ve just learned about it from doing your own research. You probably know it costs less than litigated divorce, and that it’s more amicable. But do you really understand the difference between hiring a lawyer for your divorce and choosing to work with a mediator?

Common Misconceptions About Mediation by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

When you made the announcement to your friends and family that you and your spouse were planning on getting a divorce, you probably got an earful from people telling you what you should do, or what you should expect. Unfortunately no matter how well-intentioned these people may be, their advice and suggestions are probably not based on fact or the law.

How Long Does Mediation Take? by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

Ok, so you’ve made the difficult decision to divorce. Even more importantly, you’ve made the wise choice to use mediation instead of going to court. One of the most commonly asked questions I receive from potential clients is: how long does divorce mediation take?

Why is Mediation Helpful in Resolving a Divorce Settlement? by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

When a couple makes the difficult decision to divorce, the next step is determining how to do so. Many people choose to hire attorneys and file their case with the court, without even realizing there is a better option. Mediation has many benefits over an attorney driven divorces, particularly when there are children involved, because it involves open communication and encourages both parties to work together as opposed to against each other.

Is Divorce Mediation Cheaper, Faster, Better? by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

Divorce mediation is cheaper, faster and better than hiring lawyers to litigate your divorce. Saving you time, money and heartache throughout the process.

Coping with an Unwanted Divorce by Joseph Dillon, Divorce Mediator

In approximately 90% of the cases we see here at Equitable Mediation, there is always one spouse who is driving the divorce. Leaving the other spouse coping with an unwanted divorce.

Financial Challenges in Divorce Mediation by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

We all have spending and saving habits that we inherited from our families and other influential people. When we get married, these financial habits often adapt to our partners, a new way of handing money is started and never discussed again.

The Fork in the Road - Which Way You Travel is Important by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

Whenever we meet bumps in the road there is usually more than one path to choose. We make these choices as we choose a school, a career, a home, and a mate. But these choices, like all choices, are rarely written in stone. One of the beauties of life is that we get to evaluate and consider our decisions many times and make changes and adjustments as time goes on.

Surviving the Emotional Loss of a Loved One - Mediation Can Help You Deal With the Causes of Divorce by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

Mediation, by nature and definition, bridges the emotional gulf that can exist between couples. The need to assess priorities, explore opinions, and achieve compromises requires mediators to learn as much as possible about relationships and the individual partners so that both parties are equally represented.

Mediation with the Children in Mind - The Role of the Parenting Coordinators by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

There is a relatively new emphasis in Divorce Mediation and related court proceedings—the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator to ensure that the best interests of the children remain paramount. You may think that the best interests of the children have always been the highest priority of divorce actions, but sadly, sometimes it is not.

Mediation and Financial Security for Families by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

Divorce, with all its emotional and financial upheaval, is frequently wrought with stress, fear, and staggering challenge. In the economic times we now find ourselves in, the stress, fear and challenges are being felt by everyone, not just families touched by divorce.

Wise Decisions - Cost Issues in Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

Approaching the disillusion of a marriage, both parties are faced with many hard decisions. Whether to choose mediation over litigation is fundamental and primary in the divorce process. When couples weigh the pluses and minuses of both choices, the factor of cost must be of primary concern.

Keeping it Confidential - Mediation and Privacy by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

it Confidential - Mediation and Privacy

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mediation Process by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

Mediation is an efficient and inexpensive process designed to help people reach the best agreements for them when separating, divorcing, having family disputes, problems at work, complaints with landlords or tenants, and issues with neighbors. A trained professional mediator assists you in obtaining the information you need to resolve these conflicts and to focus on the issues that must be resolved in order to work them out as amicably as possible.

Divorce - It Can Bring Out the Worst in People by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

As a divorce mediator in Chicago, IL, I spend a lot of my time educating my clients as to what C & V mean. In the past, custody always went to the mom and dad got visits every other weekend. Views have changed over the years. Studies are showing that children benefit more when both parents are active in their lives. Dads are taking proactive roles in their children’s lives and this is changing the dynamics of custody and visitation.

Divorce - Is A Peaceful One Possible? by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

Why does one word cause so much hatred, pain, loss of control and the immediate need to make the person you fell in love with become your worst enemy and the root of all evil. After the loss of a loved one, divorce is the most emotionally unstable time in a person’s life.

Diffusing Crisis - Taking the Drama out of Divorce Through Mediation by Brian James, C.E.L. and Associates

There are few situations more likely to produce tension and crisis than marital discord. Two people with diverging interests, goals, and feelings are involved in a struggle but have a complex physical and emotional history. This is fertile ground for conflict and drama.

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In Illinois, alimony is awarded without regard to marital misconduct. According to Illinois divorce law, the judge orders support from one spouse to the other if the parties cannot agree. The court awards alimony in a lump sum or for a fixed or indefinite period of time. The alimony may be paid from the income or property of the other spouse after considering all relevant factors, including the income and assets of each spouse, the needs of each party, the earning capacity of each party, any impairment of the earning capacity of the party seeking alimony caused by marital sacrifices, the time necessary for the receiving party to seek employment, the standard of living established while married, the length of the marriage, the age and health of both parties, and the contributions and services by the party seeking maintenance to the education or career potential of the other spouse.

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