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What is the Youth and Family Mediation Program?

The Lake Sunapee Area Mediation Program offers parent-child mediation, free of charge, to troubled families in all of Sullivan County .

 What is Parent-Child Mediation?

Mediation is a process of dispute resolution which brings families together to resolve their conflicts and to produce solutions that are acceptable and beneficial to those involved.  Mediation helps alleviate the possibility of escalating stress and further disruption within families by addressing the underlying issues contributing to conflict between family members.

 

Who can benefit from Parent-Child Mediation?

Any family having difficulty with communication or experiencing conflict may receive mediation services free of charge.  Some possible issues for mediation include family arguments, runaways, truancy, curfew, parental authority, communication, school work, pre-delinquent activity, family responsibilities, independence, drug and alcohol use and adjustment to separation, divorce or remarriage.

 

How do mediation sessions work?

Mediation sessions are held in private.  The mediator is under oath to keep discussions confidential.  The mediator listens to both sides, remains impartial and does not place blame.  The mediator asks questions in order to clarify the situation and to open a discussion of solution options.  Mediators help family members:  

·  Voice individual concerns

·  Establish a sense of equality among all family members while discussing issues

·  Identify issues that a mediated agreement is able to address

·  Break down misunderstandings by opening communication

·  Clarify ways the situation could change

·  Make their own rules

·  Write a mutually acceptable agreement

·  Find new ways of managing conflict, which can be applied if future problems arise

·  The mediator continues to meet with the family to provide follow-up to the  agreement.

 

How do families participate in mediation?

Families may contact Lake Sunapee Area Mediation directly if they would like more information about mediation or if they would like to schedule an appointment with a mediator.  Referrals are also made by schools, police, Courts, DCYF, clergy, private practitioners, physicians or human service agencies. 

 What is Divorce Mediation?

People experiencing a divorce often feel a loss of control over their lives.  The process of mediation offers unique opportunities to divorcing partners to retain control over the decisions necessary for their divorce; lawyers and judges stay in the background.  Mediation is more creative and flexible. Thus allowing both sides to choose practical solutions that work best for their particular situation instead of divorce boilerplate provisions usually applied by lawyers.  Parties arrange their children's future care and divide their property in accordance with their family's needs and their own sense of fairness. Mediation can further help divorcing parents to establish a framework for their future communication related to the raising of their children.

Mediation is typically less expensive and less time consuming.  Lake Sunapee Area Mediation provides mediation by New Hampshire Certified Marital Mediators.

Divorce Mediation produces a document identical in form to that of an attorney produced document.  Parties may then choose to have an attorney file their agreement or to file Pro Se.  Mediation is not therapy or counseling and mediators do not give legal or tax advice.  Mediators will refer clients to therapy and other advisors as the need arises (i.e. their attorneys, accountants, appraisers).

 

For more information about divorce mediation including fees, 

please contact:

603-542-9528 ext.4322.

 

What is Post-Divorce Mediation?

It is possible that after a divorce is final a life change for one or both parents will require re-negotiating a portion of their divorce agreement.  Such changes might include:

• Remarriage and the issues generated by blending families or the relationship with a new step parent.

• A move necessitating a new parenting schedule or a change in primary physical custody.

• A change in either parent's financial status requiring a new child support guideline worksheet to be calculated and agreed to.

• A job change for either parent requiring a new parenting schedule.

• Any needs of the children that will require modifications to the parenting agreement.

Many divorce decrees are currently being written with the stipulation that should the parties disagree, they must seek out the help of a mediator before seeking relief from the court.  Mediation is less expensive and is a cooperative win-win approach to conflict resolution.  It is the goal of mediation not only to generate agreement but also to reach resolution so that conflict is not suppressed only to reemerge in the future.

 

For more information about post-divorce mediation including fees, 

please contact:

603-542-9528 ext.4322

Avoid costly litigation by utilizing out other fee based services : Certified Divorce Mediation, Post-Divorce Mediation, Business Disputes, Landlord/Tenant, or Employment Disputes.

To learn more about mediation/conflict management services, please call:

603-542-9528 ext: 4322