Team Mediation

What Is Team Mediation?
Team Mediation was jointly developed by a prominent divorce mediator and trainer in collaboration with a pioneer in the field of divorce financial planning. It was designed to help separating or divorcing couples resolve their issues equitably and efficiently. The process can also be used to mediate prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The role of the neutral financial specialist is to help the parties maximize their financial situation.

The Team Mediation process is led by a mediator and a divorce financial professional who work with the parties to resolve all relevant issues. At the suggestion of the mediator or financial specialist, additional consultants such as attorneys, real estate professionals, or business evaluators may be added to the team. At the successful completion of the Team Mediation process a neutral drafting attorney prepares the agreement.
The structure of the team will vary to meet the specific needs of the parties, who are mutually committed to the following principles:

• To negotiate in good faith.
• To provide full and accurate disclosure.
• To treat each other fairly and respectfully.
• To make the needs and interests of their children a priority.

What about Collaborative Law?
While Team Mediation and Collaborative Law both seek to provide alternatives to adversarial litigation, the two approaches differ in significant ways:

• Team Mediation is led by impartial facilitators working on behalf of both parties, rather than separate attorneys advocating for individual clients.
• Team Mediation typically has fewer professionals at each session, thereby keeping costs down.
• If for any reason the Team Mediation process is terminated before completion, the expert appraisals, reports and evaluations, such as those for pensions, businesses, and real estate can continue to be used by the parties. This is not the case in Collaborative Law.

For more information about Team Mediation, contact Ken Neumann.