Anyone who has gone through the process of separation and divorce knows how emotionally draining and expensive it can be and the toll it takes when children are involved. Even if you start off on friendly terms, things often turn ugly once you take the normal step of enlisting lawyers.  Suddenly the situation is magnified and legal letters replace face-to-face communication.  In no time at all, you are adversaries and the legal battle is waged.  Lawyer’s fees eat up the marital assets and everyone is bitter and fighting over things they would have never dreamed of arguing over. 

There is another approach – one that not only promotes amicable relations, but preserves the assets and emotional dynamics of the family unit. 

A Conflict Resolution Process can help parties to:

Improve communications

Define issues and concerns

Clarify viewpoints, interests and positions

Generate options and alternatives for resolving problems

Reach general understandings

Develop a settlement agreement that:

Is practical / realistic / workable to implement

Meets the needs of all parties

Is durable over time

Improve relationships

Reduce the time and cost associated with resolving disputes

The mission of the Separation/Divorce Resource Center is to promote positive collaboration and active engagement by clients we serve. To accomplish this mission, SDRC encourages people to communicate and solve problems together, facilitates group meetings, builds skills for participation and, as a neutral third party, assists people in conflict to develop mutually acceptable agreements.

Couples and families can utilize the conflict resolution process to address issues, concerns and conflicts.

How do I prepare for Conflict Resolution?

Remember, Conflict Resolution is not like going to court or an administrative hearing. You need to be ready to think about possible solutions, not convince the Resolution officer that your position is “right.” To prepare for your Conflict Resolution,carefully consider:

The issues you want discussed in the session
The real reasons underlying your position on those issues and their relative importance
What you need from the other person (or the other people) to settle the dispute
Your assessment of reasons underlying the positions of the other parties
Information you wish to bring to the meeting
Others with whom you should consult before signing an agreement

What happens when I am at the Conflict Resolution?

1. Following introductions, the Resolution officer (RO) reviews the ground rules and procedures to be followed during the process. These procedures may vary in complexity depending on the nature of the dispute but will cover, at a minimum, the RO’s role, the resolution process and confidentiality issues.

2. The parties talk about the issues to be resolved, provide relevant information and clarify their positions on each issue along with the underlying reasons for those positions. The effort is made to ensure that each party understands the needs of the other party in relation to the issues being discussed.

3. Parties develop possible options for dealing with each issue. The options acceptable to the parties become the basis for the agreement.

4. An agreement is drafted by the RO, listing the specific points of agreement, who has agreed to take action and the timeline for implementation of the agreement. A strategy for dealing with issues in the future is often included in the agreement.

5. The agreement is reviewed by others, if necessary, and signed by all parties.

For more information to determine if this process is suitable for your situation call the SDRC @ 613 837 9025 or E-Mail info@thesdrc.com.

The SDRC is not a Law firm as does not provide legal advice.
We provide information and education.
Providing Viable Solutions TM