About Mediation
Mediation is a relatively new method of alternative dispute resolution, and has been increasingly well-known and widely accepted
in modern countries as an alternative to litigation, since it sets a positive tone to the divorce process, by promoting understanding and respect. Only a very few state courts or state bodies in the U.S. certify certain classes of mediators. These include The New Hampshire Marital Mediator Certification Board, the Supreme Court of Florida, South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification, the Judicial Council of Virginia, and North Carolina Court System’s Dispute Resolution Commission. Mediation, in
which both parties negotiate their settlement in private, outside the courtroom, presents a better alternative for parties who want to avoid the unnecessary expenses and emotional turmoil of divorce litigation. It is flexible and confidential, and enables the parties to obtain a resolution in the least costly manner, have full control over the terms, and the ability to explore and choose what is best for them. In family cases, when children are involved, it gives couples an option to settle their conflict in a way that will help them work together as parents after their divorce. The ending of a marriage is usually an emotional, overwhelming experience. Divorce may become very painful and extremely expensive, which is usually typical when couples choose to litigate and use a contested divorce process. Most people who have gone through a litigated divorce, will tell you that their experience was stressful, exhausting and costly. Most will agree that if given the chance to do things all over again, they would most likely choose to finalize their divorce in
a different way, especially if this option was less costly and less lengthy than the limited traditional method of litigated divorce.
While only a few states formally certify mediators, Estee Shiraz, founder of the Shiraz Mediation Group, has been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida, the highest body to certify mediators in all 50 states in the US. Her experience, as a businesswoman and as a communications executive for over two decades, as a regular and special education teacher who worked extensively with children and families for seven years at the beginning of her career, and as one who went through the process of legal separation and divorce herself, allows her to bring to the mediation table a very wide scope of skills, qualifications and perspectives, and to resonate with her clients and their unique characteristics, whether a career woman, a housewife, a businessman or a concerned parent. Being familiar with the Jewish culture and values, Estee has been working extensively with the Jewish community in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area, and is one of only a few who offer mediation and negotiation services in Hebrew as well.
Estee has been providing parties with a neutral atmosphere, professional leadership and guidance focused on the specific issues, enabling them to reach a resolution faster, cheaper and much more easily than litigation. As a mediator, Estee remains neutral between the husband and the wife, and therefore, cannot give advice or act as a lawyer for either party. However, in open session to both parties, Estee Shiraz will point out things that each party should be aware of regarding what they are trying to accomplish. This open exchange of information frees up both spouses to negotiate with each other in confidence. As each divorce/dispute is different, only you and your partner can know which choice meets your individual and/or family needs.
During the mediation, you can determine the terms of your settlement, while Estee Shiraz serves as a facilitator who considers the needs and guides you through a process that works fairly for each party and the kids, when children are involved. As both parties are working with the same base of information, it usually takes much less time to negotiate and reach a resolution that makes sense to both and works for the benefit of all parties involved.
Mediation is voluntary. It continues only for as long as you want it to. You can withdraw from the process at any time, for a good reason, a bad reason, or no reason at all.
If you reside in the Beverly Hills area, if you have a dispute, or if you and your spouse are in agreement that you want to get a divorce, and are interested in resolving your conflict with minimal pain, time and expenses, Shiraz Mediation Group should be your choice of designing and implementing your settlement. With our help, you would work through all the issues you need to resolve, so you can reach an agreement and move on with your life.