The Mediation Group of Tennessee, LLC Marietta Shipley, President

Families, Mediation and Divorce

Parents who are contemplating divorce are under a lot of stress at the time. You want your children to remain healthy as the family has two homes and grow up to be healthy, self-sufficient adults. Per J. Wallerstein in her classic book Surviving the Breakup: How Children and Parents Cope With Divorce , the biggest predictor of difficulties in children during and following a divorce is conflict between the parents. That is why we believe that mediation and parenting classes can really help families remain healthy. The courts in Tennessee have certain requirements before you can get a divorce from your spouse.

1) Parenting Classes Parents must attend a four hour course, which addresses the development of their children, how the parents should treat each other during and after the divorce, how parents should exchange children from one residence to the next and other important information. The cost is approximately $40 per person. You can find the providers for your area at this link themediationgrouptenn.com/pg50.cfm. Just look under your county in the drop-down list or at the top of the page.

2) Mediation: We believe that your family’s future will benefit by the use of mediation. All parties in a divorce must attend a mediation session unless, there is severe financial hardship or there is domestic violence and the parties have not agreed to mediate. Unless waived or continued, the mediation session must be completed within six months of filing the divorce complaint. If you wish to mediate prior to filing for divorce, that is also possible. If you would like to see what a mediation looks like, go to click here for a short video called The Evans Matter in two parts. Click in the middle of Part I and it will begin. It is an excellent video which explains many of the questions you may have about mediation as well as other issues.themediationgrouptenn.com/pg48.cfm.

3) Parenting Plan

As part of the divorcing process, you as parents have to develop a Parenting Plan which defines how you will parent your children following separation and divorce. During the mediation you will discuss and work through the details of the Parenting Plan. If you would like to see a copy or print it off click here. themediationgrouptenn.com/pg52.cfm Please remember this is a plan that is a template. There will be many other things to discuss in formulating the final plan. Do not get too concerned about the days and who is the Primary Residential Parent, as we first need to define who has decision making power for the various responsibilities and joys of parenting. In a mediation atmosphere, there will be a lot of shared parenting.

5) Divorce Requirements. If you settle all the aspects of your divorce, you can obtain a divorce .on the grounds of Irreconcilable Differences. You may not obtain a divorce before 90 days after a divorce complaint is filed if you have children. If you have no children, you may obtain a divorce after a 60 day waiting period.

6) Attorneys. You may attend a mediation session(s) simply as parties and agree to a Parenting Plan as well as division of your assets (house, retirement plan, bank accounts, furniture ), but you must have an attorney file a complaint, finalize a Marital Dissolution Agreement and accompany you to court. Only an attorney can give you legal advice. We can provide you with a list of excellent reasonably priced attorneys. Click here for a list of attorneys and therapists. http://themediationgrouptenn.com/pg78.cfm

The Mediation Group of Tennessee • 2809 Wimbledon Road • Nashville, TN 37215 • Phone: 615 292-6069

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