Resolve Divorce Issues Peacefully
Using Mediation to Get Divorced in Rhode IslandMediation Expertise
7 Reasons to use Mediation
After the loss of a loved one, the next most stressful thing you can experience in a marriage is going through a divorce. Even under the best circumstances, divorce can tear a family apart. Yes, there are peaceful and amicable alternatives rather than going to Court. Mediation or a Collaborative Divorce is the answer.
Collaborative Divorce
Child Custody
& Support
Parents know their child best. They’ve seen how their child responds to change. They know their child’s schedule inside and out. They know their child’s social network – friends, family, important people at school, at church. They care deeply about their child’s well being.
Property
Settlement
After child custody, property division is the most common reason that people wind up bringing a case to divorce court. Before you decide to fight about property division, consider whether you could achieve results with much less cost by using divorce mediation to reach agreement.
Benefits
of Mediation
Lower Cost: A significant part of the expense of a typical divorce is attorneys’ fees. Less Time Consuming: People who choose divorce mediation are usually motivated to reach a resolution. Better Solutions: A higher quality resolution is one of the biggest benefits of using mediation
Ask
an Expert
Mediated child support arrangements are often better than court-ordered child support arrangements, since the process of mediation is done in such a way as to allow each party the opportunity to participate in the discussion. Mediation tends to keep anger and resentment at a minimum, something that is extremely useful.
Mediation Answers
• How is negotiating my divorce agreement different from other types of negotiations?
• How do I get what I want? Are there any rules for negotiating?
• How can I negotiate when I don’t want to compromise?
• If my spouse and I are at an impasse on a particular issue, how will mediation help us resolve it?
Rhode Island Divorce Mediator
Working with a professional divorce mediator, you can cooperatively achieve child custody, financial support and property settlement resolutions that both you and your spouse will find agreeable.
Rhode Island divorce mediator, Kerry Rafanelli , has helped clients through the Rhode Island divorce process as an attorney for more than 30 years. He’s seen how costly and sometimes counter- productive the legal process can be when people think “winning” is the only goal. The legal volleying back and forth can make the process more time-consuming and costly than it needs to be.
That’s why, for the past 20 years, he has offered his clients mediation as an alternative to the more stressful and potentially combative divorce process. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of mediation as a method for reaching resolution on issues of property division, spousal and child support, or child custody and visitation, call Mr. Rafanelli to schedule a free consultation: 401-379-4597.
Kerry is the best! Thank you for your bright outlook when I thought it was not warranted. My situation got resolved much more peacefully than I thought it would.
M. G., Warwick, RI
The Mediation Process
• Litigation is focused on swaying the ruling of a judge, whose decision is then imposed on the parties. It’s possible that neither party would find the judge’s decision satisfactory, even though the “law” says it’s fair and reasonable.
• Mediation is focused on helping the two parties arrive at an agreement that resolves their issues. When parties agree to something, they are usually more satisfied with the outcome and invested in ensuring its success.
Both litigation and mediation are fact-dependent process. You will need all of your financial information: bank accounts and investments, pensions and property valuations. You don’t have to go to court to make sure the financial part is handled properly. With the help of a trained and experienced mediator, property division spousal and child support can all be addressed in mediation.
Like a divorce attorney, your divorce mediator understands the requirements of Rhode Island family law. While your mediated property settlement and child custody agreement will be customized to your particular needs and wants, it still must comply with the law. Mr. Rafanelli will ensure it does.
Get answers about your situation. Call for a free consultation
Do You Also Need a Divorce Lawyer?
Some clients use a mediator first to save money while arriving at an agreement, and then hire a lawyer to draft the legal documents and bring the divorce to court. Some people hire divorce lawyers before they come to mediation. If you wish, your attorney can participate in the mediation process with you, or you can participate alone and bring your agreement to your attorney after the mediation session(s) are concluded to be sure your interests have been protected and you understand the document.
Divorce Mediation
Isn’t Right for Everyone
Mediation has so many advantages that it can often be used even by couples who struggle with anger, blame or other strong emotions. A skillful mediator like Mr. Rafanelli can help you work through those challenges by acknowledging emotional issues without letting them drive the process or diminish the results.
But mediation may not be advisable when there has been domestic abuse, when there are large power differences between the parties, or when one or both parties are more committed to hurting each other than to resolving their issues. To learn more about how mediation works and could benefit you contact Mr. Rafanelli.
Office Location
RI Divorce Mediation Solutions
670 Main Street
East Greenwich, RI 02818
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For A Free Initial Consultation