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Susanne S. Lustig, Attorney at Law
Montgomery Village,
Maryland
20886
Phone: 301-977-1161
Fax: 301-977-8410
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MEDIATION FACT SHEET
The decision to separate from one's spouse or partner is only a first step. Other decisions about children, property and support also need to be made. That's where divorce and separation mediation can help.
WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Divorce and separation mediation is a cooperative process during which both partners make decisions about their family, property and support issues with the help of a mediator. The mediator is a neutral third person who guides the couple through the decision making process.
WHY CHOOSE MEDIATION?
Although the time of separation and divorce is very painful, couples know themselves and their families best and are most suited to make decisions concerning their futures. During mediation couples are encouraged to work together as a team rather than view themselves as opponents. Both partners are given a chance to fully state their views and concerns in a cooperative setting and seek the options that will be best for all concerned. Couples who, despite their pain and fears, work out a cooperative agreement between themselves, have better post-divorce adjustments and so do their children. Also, settlement through mediation is generally less expensive than through the traditional adversary system.
HOW DOES MEDIATION WORK?
Both partners attend an orientation session at which a detailed explanation of mediation is given. Following sessions are used to make decisions concerning Parenting Arrangements, Division of Marital Property, Child Support and Spousal Support.
Following mediation, the mediator or an attorney of the couple's choosing will draft a final separation agreement incorporating the decisions the couple has made.
ABOUT SUSANNE S. LUSTIG
Ms. Lustig is a divorce lawyer who believes that divorce does not have to be a battle. She is a trained separation and divorce mediator as well as a trained collaborative lawyer.
Ms. Lustig received her J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American
University in Washington, D.C. in 1982. She is a member of the Maryland bar
and has practiced both traditional family law and mediation since 1996. She
strives to find a balance between the interests of separating and divorcing
spouses while making the welfare of their children a priority.
Please email us for additional information.
