The Role of an Expert in Family Mediation

Where appropriate, Jill will recommend that the spouses involve a expert to help with part of the case. It is important that the expert remain neutral and consider the interests of both spouses and the children.

If you cannot decide on how to share time with the children, a neutral parenting coordinator can help you reach consensus.

During a mediation session, one or both spouses may become very emotional.  These emotions make it harder to concentrate and make decisions. As a result, the process will move at a slower pace than it otherwise would. A neutral mental health professional can provide emotional support, and will also coach each spouse on how to present their views in a way that the other spouse can take in what they are saying. 

Sometimes a couple has a family business, or a spouse is self-employed.  In that case, a neutral chartered business valuator can provide the “fair value” of the business and comment on the income available to the business owner for support purposes. This enables the business owner to make full financial disclosure to his or her spouse. Full financial disclosure is the bedrock of any divorce settlement.