Declaration of Truce is a binding legal agreement that you and your spouse enter declaring a truce to the conflict of divorce, recognizing your mutual interests in resolving the division of assets, debts and responsibilities fairly, civilly and without unnecessary expense or trauma to anyone. It requires resolution of all decisions by mediation, binding arbitration or Peace-Making. The mediator does not make decisions like the traditional judge. Instead, the mediator assures you neutral listening, equal power, understanding of the legal process and issues that must be decided. Mediation also gives you some protection against name calling and a repeat of prior breakdowns in communication.
Mediation is voluntary.
To agree, both people must understand and freely and voluntarily agree. Our mediators have been trained in conflict resolution, communication, the divorce process, understanding children's needs, parenting issues, how feelings, choices, perceptions, and misunderstandings can cause inappropriate behavior, and how violence, drugs, alcohol, and psychological disabilities affect the physical safety, and the foundation for emotional healing. Mediation is not therapy, but it can often give relief by getting done and moving forward. Our mediators work in coordination with our attorneys. The attorneys will tell you approximately what a court will do with each issue before mediation begins.