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Finding the right mediator for you

Divorce mediation entails discussion of personal and financial subjects, You need to find a mediator with whom you are comfortable on a personal level and someone whose expertise you can trust. A very positive recommendation of a former client is always a help. Otherwise, it is a good idea to first meet the mediator and ask some questions.

• Experience? If a prospective mediator tells you he/she has done divorce mediation for X number of years, find out how many cases do they typically mediate per year. Some, especially lawyers, do no more than 2-3 divorce mediations a year.
  
  
• Understanding of all issues? Mediators often come from other professions. Some are attorneys, some social workers or therapists. Their background can affect their style and emphasis. Some might not be comfortable with psychological and child related issues. Others might not be comfortable with financial issues. You will benefit from having a mediator who can handle it all.
  
  
• Cost and location? Cost and convenience of location are important considerations, yet they should be secondary to the questions of personal and professional fit.
  
  
• Training in dispute resolution? Some mediators take a basic mediation training and proceed right away to practice mediation professionally, without gaining any experience as mediators (for instance through the courts). Others, who are informed about family law, add "mediation" to their services although they have had no mediation training,
  
  

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