Divorce Mediation: A Better Route for You?

Ellie Stoddard - Attorney/Mediator

Providing full-time Divorce Mediation services for both Fairfield County and New Haven County

What is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a process in which both spouses voluntarily come together to work with an impartial divorce mediator who helps the spouses find mutual solutions to the issues of divorce, such as property and debt division, spousal support, and parenting and support of minor children.

How Does Divorce Mediation Work?

The divorce mediator helps the spouses resolve their issues by presenting a range of possible solutions and, where needed, identifying conflicts and the potentially hidden concerns behind those conflicts. Through a better understanding of the issues, and with the divorce mediator's help, the spouses can discuss their problems in a more constructive, less hostile manner, and thereby work toward mutually satisfying agreements.

Who Can Use Divorce Mediation?

Although some couples come to mediation with few disagreements, divorce mediation is not limited to couples who agree on most issues. The key is for each spouse to participate voluntarily and to work cooperatively on reaching solutions.

What are the Benefits of Divorce Mediation?

The parties control their own decisions.
Because the decisions are their own, the parties are far more likely to comply with their final agreements. Post-divorce conflict, with potential litigation and additional costs, is less likely to occur.
Divorce mediation is faster than litigation.
Divorce mediation is generally less expensive than litigation.
The parties can discuss emotional issues and have those issues considered in making their decisions.
The parties can use their improved communication skills and enhanced understanding of each other's concerns to reduce stress in post-divorce dealings.
Children benefit from reduced tension and hostility between parents both during and after divorce.

What Happens After We Reach Agreement on the Issues?

The divorce mediator drafts an agreement detailing the parties' decisions. The agreement may be reviewed by an attorney for each party. The agreement is then submitted to the court for approval and becomes the basis of the final divorce judgment.

Who Handles the Court Process?

Although the divorce mediator does not act as an attorney for either spouse in the court process, the divorce mediator can prepare court documents for the spouses' signatures.

Where Does the Mediation Take Place?

The office is in Stratford, near the Stratford/Shelton border and Route 8. It may also be possible to arrange for sessions to be held in other locations. For directions to the Stratford office please click here.

About the Mediator:

Ellie Stoddard, J.D., has a full-time practice in non-adversarial divorce. Her work is primarily in divorce mediation, and she has recently added collaborative divorce law to her practice. She is a former President of the Connecticut Council for Divorce Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution and is a member of the Collaborative Divorce Attorneys of Fairfield County, the Connecticut Bar and the Association for Conflict Resolution. Ms. Stoddard is a graduate of Brown University and Wake Forest University School of Law.

For More Information Call: (203) 377-4514.

To contact me via email - Click on my name: Ellie J. Stoddard - Attorney/Mediator

To send a fax: Call (203) 375-5314 and follow instructions

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