Achieving fair and equitable divorce agreements

Brian E. Folven, Esq.

Certified Divorce Mediator
77 E. Merrimack Street
Suite 24
Lowell, MA 01852
t: 978 604 5591
e: bfolven14@comcast.net
w: lowellmediation.com

The Mediation
Process

In the mediation process, an impartial third party assists parties in achieving a resolution. The parties themselves are responsible for deciding the outcome of the resolution.
The mediation process:

• Is voluntary and non-binding
• Allows parties to decide the outcome, and is
• Consensual and Confidential

Benefits of
Mediation

There are number of benefits to mediation. It is much faster and much less expensive than litigation. Costs of mediation are usually shared by both parties. The parties themselves are responsible for the final agreement, avoiding a judgment delivered by a judge, which may or not be favorable. Since the parties themselves craft the agreement, with the assistance of the mediator, the adversarial process is eliminated. The agreement is submitted to the court to approve and enter. Consequently, there is a much higher success rate with mediation.

Some of the benefits are:

CONFIDENTALITY

Confidentiality is important in the mediation process. It creates a safe space where parties can share information and discuss resolutions.  Most states have enacted  a statute to protect communications  made during mediation. Nothing that happens during the session is to be disclosed by the mediator, including settlement terms, without permission by the parties involved. In addition, because the process is  private and confidential, there  are no  public court records.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Time is money. The divorce litigation process is very expensive and time consuming. Mediation will allow you to save both time and money. Lengthy court cases are avoided and the parties will save substantial costs. FYI-legal costs are NOT deductible for tax purposes.

HIGH SUCCESS RATE

The parties have control of the final resolution. Parties craft their own agreement and this results in a higher success rate.

MINOR CHILDREN

If there are minor children involved which is more often the case, the mediation process will be less stressful on the children.

What to Expect

Initial Meeting/ Free Consultation with both parties

2nd Meeting– Informational Gathering, including financials, discuss major issues of the case, etc. Sign Agreement to Mediate

Scheduled mediation-. Mediation process takes usually 2 to 3 hrs. $125 per hour

Memorandum Of Understanding-. This is the agreement made by the parties to present to court for approval. There is a 120 day waiting period ( NISI) in Massachusetts. After that, the divorce will be final. Flat fee -$375.00 includes preparation, draft to parties and final written agreement for submission to court.

About Mediation Solutions

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Brian E. Folven, Esq., is a graduate of the University of Mass Lowell and holds a juris doctorate from The Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, MA. He is admitted to the Connecticut State Bar and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.  Brian received his training in mediation from the Center of Negotiation and Mediation Training, Andover, Massachusetts, and Conflict Resolution Training, Inc, E. Greenwich, Rhode Island, and is a certified divorce mediator.

Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association

Citizenship and Naturalization
Green Cards
Employment Visas
Asylum
Deportation
Business Immigration

Brian E. Folven, Esq.

Immigration Law
77 E. Merrimack Street
Suite 24
Lowell, MA 01852
t: 978 604 5591
e: bfolven14@comcast.net
Admitted in Connecticut