Sessions to Resolve your Family Conflict
Dear David and Angela, seven years is a long time having spent with someone such that cases of mistrust and lack of understanding amongst tour selves is a serious problem that needs to be solved. The fact that all of your have different career goal and objective does not mean that other aspects of life do not matter. Alternatively judging each others career prospects may never help in solving the problem at hand because of variation in interests and preferences. Consequently, both of you are blessed with two beautiful children and for their sake you do not have to toss them around due to lack of sufficient income or other necessities. Thus, after careful analysis of your situation the following procedure was developed to help in solving that problem. At least five sessions and both of you are requested to avail yourselves for each, and every session as opinions from each side will be substantial in the achievement of valid solutions.
Sessions in the mediation process
1. Engagement of parties is our first session whereby both of you will be required to be present in the meditation office so that information on the procedure can be relayed to you. During this session, we shall establish and present the problem(s) which the two of you are facing. This will create an impression on the urgency of the matter (ADR. 2008).
2. In our second session, we shall establish the agenda from the various issues that are presented in the first session. However, the main agendas in this case include custody of children and division of property. This may incorporate identification of individual and communal property (Pickell, 2000).
3. During our third session, the issue on who should be considered as the temporal custodian of your children during the divorce process will be explored. The issue of how to divide property accordingly will also be looked into as well as validity of infidelity allegations (Pickell, 2000).
4. It is equally important that the two of your understand that divorce may not be the best solution to your problems. From your marital activities, it is evident that the two of you have been extremely well until recently. This shows that your problems have developed recently thus, alternative ways of solving the issues other than the divorce way can be attained (ADR. 2008).
5. After careful analysis of available options, the two of you shall have to agree on the best method or option that will solve your problems so that you lives become normal once more. As a mediator, this is the much that I will offer and it will be upon you to make the final decision (Pickell, 2000).
Family law mediation
According to the laws of family laws, a parent is granted custody of children as long as they are of sound mind. In your case both of you are mentally okay thus either of you could be granted custody. In your allegation that David is sometimes mentally distance from the children, the law demands that evidence should be availed for such a situation.
The labor law on mediation does not discriminate against the career of either spouse as long as both of you are earning something (Pickell, 2000).
The family law recognizes property that is inherited by one spouse such as the money bequeathed to Angela by her late uncle as individual property. It is not communal as it is solely under her name (Pickell, 2000).
Therefore, you need to understand the requirements for each setting to avoid further conflicts.
Questions to be used in defusing anger
Tactful questions such as “what did you (Angela) see in David when you were courting that made you decide to marry him?” Such a question if asked tactfully could make the couple reminisce the factors and activities that brought them together. Similar questions will remind them of the sole reason why they got married to each other and in some way, the fond memories may help in reducing the anger they may be feeling towards each other (ADR. 2008).
Asking questions about the best picnic that they have ever had and the nature their children may help is reducing anger. This will especially help Angela remember about the good things that David has dine to her and appreciate the fact that at least he is not as mental distant as she alleges.
References
ADR,(2008), family mediation. Retrieved from: www.adrnow.org.uk/go/SubPage_53.htm
Pickell, N. (2000), In family law how is mediation different from a settlement meeting. Retrieved from: www.mediate.ca/familymetidationdiff.htm
