What is mediation?

• The parties will meet in Mr. Wermager’s office and the parties will generally need to be able to be civil to one another. This does not mean the parties need to like each other, but merely be able to treat each other with a basic level of decency and respect.
• The parties need to be willing to work cooperatively through Mr. Wermager and/or other professionals.
• The parties need to be forthcoming with financial information and otherwise.
• The parties have every right to have counsel available, either at the mediation or to review proposed agreements. When agreements are reached, documents are drafted, both parties are encouraged and entitled to have outside counsel review the proposed agreements before finalizing any such agreements. This reduces the stress and anxiety on the parties, as they are able to seek advice outside of the mediation if they so require, before entering into agreements which will become binding Court Orders.

The parties generally schedule an initial consultation and come in at the same time to meet with Mr. Wermager. The process is explained and if both parties agree they want to mediate, a plan is put in place to coordinate a mediation session. The parties may either be in the same room together with Mr. Wermager or in separate rooms with Mr. Wermager going back and forth between the parties. Mr. Wermager will attempt to help reach agreements on each and every issue the Court requires, whether that be in divorce, paternity or modification actions.