The purpose of these rules is to assist you in reaching a settlement of the issues submitted for mediation, by protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the mediation process. These guidelines will assist you in examining relevant factors necessary for a full discussion of the issues. It is up to you to determine a resolution of your conflict and the mediator will not use these rules other than to protect the integrity of the process and to ensure full discussion and analysis of relevant issues.

These rules are a part of the Mediation Agreement signed by you when you decide to engage in the process of mediation with Rita Ros-Planas, Mediator.

Participants in mediation understand, acknowledge and adopt the following statement of principles regarding mediation:

• Mediation will be conducted in a spirit of cooperation, courtesy and respect.

• The major criteria for decision-making are:

  • The needs of each family member.

  • Standards of fairness as agreed to by the spouses.

  • The available resources of the parties.

  • The marriage will be considered an equal partnership in which each spouse has a substantial right in the contribution of the other, whether as a homemaker and/or as a financial provider.

The Mediator is responsible for managing the process of mediation, and will conduct mediation in whatever manner most expeditiously permits full discussion and resolution of the issues.

• The Mediator will not make decisions for you nor advise you as to what should or should not be decided on any issue.

• Communications with the Mediator about mediation issues shall be in the presence of both spouses within a regularly scheduled mediation session, or in the case of telephone contacts, will be shared with both spouses.

• Children may participate in mediation sessions at the discretion of the Mediator and with the concurrence of the parties.

The Mediator will interpret and apply these rules. If the Mediator determines that either spouse is unable to negotiate in his/her own behalf, or that either spouse is not making good faith efforts to mediate, the Mediator has the right to postpone or terminate mediation.

By undertaking mediation under these rules, Rita Ros-Planas and each spouse agree with each other as follows:

• Mediation is a procedure for reaching settlement of a dispute either in litigation or potentially in litigation between you.

• The private settlement of disputes through methods other than litigation is a well-established concept in common law. Mediation is one such method of dispute resolution. It is essential to the success of mediation to protect the confidentiality of statements made in the process of mediation. Therefore, in adopting these rules, you agree that neither of you may call either the Mediator or any officer or agent or staff member of the Mediator as a witness in any litigation of any description in which either of you are called upon to testify as to any matter regarding the mediation proceeding; and, in like manner, both of you shall be stopped from requiring the production in such litigation of any records or documents or tape recordings made by the Mediator.

• The foregoing exclusions from evidence and exemptions of the Mediator and parties from giving testimony or being called upon to produce documents shall apply also to the use of neutral experts and other professionals called upon by you in mediation.

• Mediation conducted by Rita Ros-Planas shall come within the purview of her professional privilege.

Neither spouse will transfer, encumber, conceal, or in any way dispose of any real or personal property except in the normal course of business, or for the necessities of life. Any such material transfers by either spouse will require prior mutual agreement.

Where specialized information is needed, the Mediator will ask you to consult with other professionals such as accountants or appraisers. Information so obtained will be made available to both spouses. If you wish, the Mediator can provide you with the names of such professionals, from which you can choose one at your discretion.

The Mediator, at the conclusion of the mediation process, will draft a detailed Agreement of the decisions you have agreed upon in mediation. This Agreement may include background information about each spouse and will describe the factual information relied upon by you in settlement. This Agreement derived shall be submitted to you for your review and that of your legal counsel, if so desired, and then signed. Should any new issues be raised by your attorney (s) same shall be returned to mediation for further negotiations.

The Mediator does not represent either of you, nor gives legal advice but may answer questions or legal issues and provide relevant legal information. You will need to obtain legal counsel of your own choice before, during and/or after you have reached an agreement.

The Mediator maintains a list of attorney who are familiar with the mediation process. You may use these attorney if you wish.

An impasse is defined as a situation in which the couple has failed to reach an agreement on one or more specific issues. An impasse may be declared when the couple and the Mediator have examined all information and options reasonably available for reaching settlement and are unable to reach agreement. Impasse may be declared by the Mediator or by either spouse. In the event of an impasse, the following options are available:

• Arbitration. Both parties agree to abide by the judgment of the Arbitrator who will consider the options and render a decision concerning only the specific issues(s). The decision of the Arbitrator shall be full and final and binding upon the couple.

• Referral to another mediator.

• Referral to two attorney from panel who can agree to present only the issues at impasse to a judge for resolution via judicial ruling.

The Mediator may indicate to you her concurrence or nonconcurrence with the agreement you have reached.

Concurrence indicates the Mediator’s judgment that the agreement appears to be substantially equitable and fair to each party. In case of nonconcurrence, the Mediator shall so state. Nonconcurrence shall in no way detract from the full force and effectiveness of the contract reached between you.

• Mediation sessions are usually conducted bimonthly, but may be conducted more or less often as mutually agreed. Sessions will be held at a time and place designated by the Mediator. Sessions are normally one and one-half to two hours in length.

• Charges are by the hour for mediation, with payment due at the time of each session. In addition, a deposit (or retainer) is required at the time a contract is signed. Time spent by the Mediator on administrative matters (i.e., preparing written materials, reviewing documents prepared by attorney or other professionals, etc.) will be charged against the deposit at the same hourly rate. Any unused portion of the deposit will be refunded upon completion of the process. If the deposit balance reaches zero, an additional deposit may be required or payment due as billed.

• A spouse who decides to cancel a mediation appointment shall notify the Mediator and the other spouse as soon as practicable .

• The Mediator may cancel a session if either party fails to appear or arrives unprepared.

Initial Contact:
Provide information; Mediation Rules explained; Retainer Agreement

Orientation:
Answer client’s questions; Obtain basic information from clients; Review rules

Collecting and Sharing Data:
Share detailed financial information; Narrow issues; Refer to outside experts, as necessary

Preliminary Negotiations:
Create and explore options; Have participants begin to make decisions

Obtaining Agreement:
Close off areas of agreement; Negotiate remaining issues

Drafting the Memorandum:
Draft memorandum; Check for completeness; Review with couple

Legal Processing and Final Agreement