What Processes Exist for Resolving Disputes?

Negotiation with a Therapist or Other Third Party Process

Sometimes parties will seek the assistance of a therapist, a minister, or another trusted friend or relative to help them negotiate a settlement. This process can work if the issues are relatively simple and the parties have the same knowledge and information regarding their finances and other matters. Some of the difficulties that exist in the Kitchen Table Process exist here–(unequal knowledge base, unequal power) and the therapist or third-party may not be trained or knowledgeable about mediation, divorce law, how to draft an enforceable agreement, or the issues that must be addressed. Sometimes the parties will have attorneys; sometimes they will not. If an agreement is reached, at least one party will have to hire and pay for an attorney to draft a Court Order based on the agreement reached by the parties. At this stage, the parties become aware of issues they did not address in their negations.