Nashua Marital Mediation

What is Marital Mediation?
Separation and divorce are among the most painful and disruptive events an individual or family can experience. Tension and conflict can develop quickly when such changes occur. Mediation is one way for family members to reduce conflict, manage tensions and control decisions that effect their lives.

Marital Mediation is a cooperative problem solving process, which helps individuals negotiate and resolve the complex issues of separation, divorce and post-divorce decision-making in a collaborative, non-adversarial setting. Mediation can be extremely beneficial to many couples experiencing disputes before, during and after divorce, particularly when children are involved.

Marital Mediation provides individuals the opportunity:

To control decisions effecting their lives To focus on clarifying issues, exploring options and building solutions rather than fault finding To negotiate competing needs and desires To reach fair and satisfactory settlements

Who we Are The Nashua Mediation Program, a department of  the City of Nashua Division of Public Health & Community Services, has provided mediation services to families since 1983. The goal of the Certified Marital Mediator who works with Nashua Mediation is to deliver professional confidential services in a safe and caring environment. We provide resources and support to assist parties in exploring settlement alternatives and making the "informed choices" which lead to lasting, mutually acceptable agreements. The mediation process can be helpful to parties in overcoming impasse and reaching decisions regarding: Custody and Visitation Arrangements Child Care and Parenting Plans Support and Financial Planning Division of Property

The Role of Mediators A mediator is a neutral professional. Mediators do not give legal advice, their purpose is to help parties obtain long-term mutually satisfying outcomes. The mediation process is confidential. Your privacy is protected under RSA 328.C:9. Mediators will not release information without the written consent of both parties. Mediation avoids public disclosure of personal problems. At the first session, parties will meet with a team of highly trained mediators who will explain the process in more detail. Next, steps will be formulated according to the needs and desires of participants. Mediators Help Participants: To work cooperatively toward resolving disagreements To communicate more efficiently and effectively with one another To formulate their own solutions

Advantages of Mediation Mediation empowers each participant to make his or her own agreements. In most cases, litigation can be avoided. Parties gain negotiation and communication skills that they can utilize in the future. In Addition, Mediation: Is cost and time efficient Deals with "now" issues while being "future" focused Encourages open communication while maintaining privacy and confidentiality Allows for creative parenting arrangements that are child-centered and parent-directed Can establish a foundation for cooperative post-divorce parenting relationship

What to Expect The number of mediation sessions necessary depends upon the number of issues to be discussed, and the complexity of decisions to be made as well as how cooperatively and directly parties can negotiate with one another. Parties may terminate mediation at any time. Cooperation with the mediators will ensure that this process is completed effectively and efficiently.

Fees $120 for the first consultation and $120 per hour for subsequent mediation sessions. Sessions usually run for one to two hours. A separate fee is charged for the preparation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is prepared by the mediators. It is suggested that the parties have the MOU reviewed by an impartial attorney or by their respective attorneys. A sliding fee scale is available for those who qualify. Please contact the office if you are requesting a reduced fee. To obtain more information or to make an appointment, please call 603/589-4550.