Online Mediation

Divorce is very traumatic, even if it is amicable. Divorce litigation is emotionally painful and financially draining. In contentious matrimonial litigation, the proceedings may go on for years. Mediation is an alternative to court litigation, which involves confidential settlement discussions between the parties. This happens with the assistance of the impartial mediator, which allows divorcing spouses to resolve their differences with far less acrimony and expense. It is a cost-effective, time-efficient, and private way to find “real solutions for difficult problems.” Divorce mediation offers creative solutions that benefit both parties. It provides the opportunity to maintain a working relationship between spouses that might otherwise be destroyed by acrimonious, often lengthy, litigation.

Karen Bosshart, Esq. is a successful divorce mediator who is skilled in keeping communication between the parties open and candid. The parties are guided to work together to achieve a settlement agreement that benefits both parties. Rather than a combative atmosphere, Attorney Bosshart sets a tone of respect, cooperation, and negotiation. She calls upon her experience as a divorce lawyer and her negotiation skills to provide necessary information and assistance to the parties in designing a resolution to their conflict that works best for both of them. A good mediation results in a fair settlement that is customized to the particular needs of the parties.

Karen Bosshart, Esq., as a mediator, steers the parties away from negative history and feelings and focuses them on the future. The parties are counseled to present their concerns and their needs going forward, rather than rehashing the past difficulties of their marriage. The parties are guided to remain focused on the cooperative mediation process, in order to identify and prioritize issues and to examine and develop options, until all the terms of a potential agreement are worked out. The goal of the mediator is to assist the parties in developing a mutually beneficial resolution – a “win-win” – that will likely strengthen their ability to cooperate in the future.

New York and Connecticut have no state licensing requirements for divorce and family law mediators and do not require that a mediator be an attorney. However, at Karen Bosshart, Esq., LLC, we believe that it is important for divorcing or separating couples to choose a mediator who is also a family law attorney who fully understands the legal ramifications of the issues in a way that non-attorney mediators may not.  When an attorney mediator drafts your divorce or separation agreement, you can expect a higher standard of legal drafting than you would from a non-attorney mediator.  This can save you the time and expense of having both a mediator and an attorney involved and minimizes the chance that a judge would find the settlement agreement deficient.

As an attorney mediator, Karen Bosshart, Esq., is able to draft a legal agreement incorporating the terms reached during the mediation process. Once signed, the document becomes a binding contract between the parties, the purpose of which is to become the terms of an Uncontested Divorce or Separation issued by the Court. Attorney Bosshart can also prepare all of the documents necessary to obtain an Uncontested Divorce or Separation.

In mediation, one professional hour is billed for every hour of negotiation. The parties share the cost of the mediator’s hourly rate, rather than paying for two independent attorneys as in the case of litigation. The parties are also free to retain the services of an “advisory” attorney, accountant, and/or financial planner during the mediation process and to have their attorney review the agreement before they sign it.

Online divorce mediation is becoming a common way to negotiate an out-of-court settlement agreement between you and your spouse. It can also be used to address a wide range of topics including, but not limited to parenting plans, support, custody arrangements, division of assets.  It can also be used when issues arise post-divorce, where the parties are unmarried and need to address custody and support, or where the parties are seeking to negotiate a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

Online mediation is conducted using an online platform.  We utilize video conferencing via Zoom.  These video conferencing mediation sessions can be scheduled in the privacy of your own home or office and at times that best suit your busy schedules.  No more wasted travel time or missed work. The Zoom app is free to download.

With the advancement of technology, the ability to conduct mediation sessions online is convenient and efficient.  Clients are able to participate from their homes or offices.  If documents are needed during the session it is more likely they are available.  The only requirements are an internet connection, a computer with audio and video capabilities, and, ideally, a scanner and printer.