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What is Mediation?

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Mediation is a non-adversarial alternative to a litigated divorce. The “traditional” litigated approach to divorce pits the parties against each other as adversaries, often leading to great personal, emotional and financial pain for everyone.

Mediation is a different, and better, approach. With the help of an experienced and neutral mediator, the divorcing couple communicates directly, focusing on common needs and goals, and works to reach a fair agreement on all issues that affect their future, their finances, and their children.

As an experienced mediator, Maurice helps couples through the entire mediation process including the preparation of the initial court papers; a detailed review of the couple’s financial and other information; facilitation of discussions to help the couple reach fair decisions on all issues; and then preparation of a detailed agreement that reflects the couple’s understanding.

It is strongly recommended that each mediation client meet with  their own attorney to provide  independent legal advice. A client can meet with their attorney however often they feel it would be helpful to make fully informed and educated decisions.

In addition to helping couples throughout the divorce process, Maurice can also help couples mediate legal separations, post-divorce issues, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

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Advantages of Mediation

Mediation has many advantages over a “traditional” litigated divorce, allowing the divorcing couple to resolve their issues in a fair, dignified and cost-effective manner.

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Process & Control

The couple has control over the process, and control over the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their children.

 

Informed Decisions

With the help of the mediator, the couple is able to make their own fully informed decisions.

 

Actively Participate

Mediation allows both parties to actively participate in the divorce process.

 

Less Expensive

Mediation is much less expensive than a traditional divorce. The couple is spending less time paying professionals, helping to preserve precious financial resources where they belong - with the parties and their children.

 

Common Goals

Mediation is not only for couples who get along! While the couple might disagree on various issues, the mediator will help guide the couple through the "rough patches" to help them focus on common goals.

 

Confidential

Unlike a "traditional" divorce, where parties are often discussing (or arguing) in open court, in mediation the couple is discussing personal issues in a private setting.

 

Direct Communication

Mediation emphasizes direct communication between the couple.

 

Fair Agreement

Mediation helps the parties reach a fair agreement on all issues regarding finances, assets, and parenting arrangements.

 

Present & Future

Mediation does not focus on the past. It's oriented to the present and the future.

 

Issues to Decide During a Mediation

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When you’re going through a divorce – whether you do so using mediation, or the “traditional” way – there are a number of issues you and your spouse need to discuss and resolve.  

Here’s a list of the main issues divorcing couples need to consider.  (Of course, not every issue may apply to you).

Parenting Decisions

  • Sole custody and decision making by one parent
  • Joint decision making, but the children reside primarily with one parent 
  • Shared physical custody and joint decision making
  • Split physical custody and joint decision making
  • How to decide on the “major” issues concerning the children – their health, education, religion, major activities, and general welfare
  • How to decide on the “day-to-day” matters concerning the children
  • Weekdays and weekends
  • Holidays
  • School vacations
  • Summer vacations
  • Birthdays – yours and theirs
  • Other special occasions – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day
  • Notice of changes to the schedule
  • Grandparent visitation
  • Telephone calls
  • Mechanism for problem resolution regarding children
  • Changeover times and places
  • Transportation responsibility
  • Foreign travel
  • Relocating with children
  • Addresses and phone numbers
  • Illnesses and accidents
  • Children’s whereabouts 
  • Decision-making and conflict resolution
  • Any changes in parenting arrangements                         
  • Periodic review/changes in schedules

Your Assets

  • Who will live there during the divorce
  • How will pay the household expenses during the divorce
  • What’s your house worth
  • What will you do with the house
  • Will the house be sold? If so, when? 
  • Will one party have the option to buy out the other
  • How will you determine the selling price
  • How to pay the household expenses until the sale    
  • How will you divide the sale proceeds
  • How to deal with capital gains tax, if any
  • Identifying retirement assets
  • Valuing retirement assets
  • Dividing retirement assets
  • Will you need a special court order (a “QDRO”) to divide up a retirement plan? 
  • Identifying and valuing business interests
  • Division of value
  • Any professional licenses?
  • Other real estate  
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment portfolios
  • Cars
  • Jewelry
  • Collections – art, coins, etc.
  • Furniture and furnishings
  • Sky miles, credit card points
  • Inheritances
  • All other property
  • Identifying all debts, and deciding how they will be paid/divided    
  • Credit card bills
  • Loans
  • Home equity loans

Support for The Children

  •  review and application of the CT Child Support Guidelines                 
  •  amount of child support
  •  possible cost of living adjustments
  •  future modification
  • whether one or both parties will save for college as the kids grow
  • how to pay for college when the children attend 
  • any “cap” on the amount to be paid
  • who will provide medical insurance 
  • how to pay for uncovered or unreimbursed expenses
  • payment of extraordinary and elective procedures
  • orthodontia
  • dental expenses
  • summer camp
  • extracurricular/extraordinary activities
  • nursery school
  • day care
  • private school

Other Issues

  • for the children
  • for each party
  • how the parties will pay for the children’s uncovered medical costs
  • who will carry it
  • what are you insuring
  • in what amount
  • beneficiaries
  • duration
  • file joint or separate tax returns
  • exemptions for children
  • division of refunds, or payments due
  • liability for deficiencies, penalties
  • cost of audit
  • who will receive it
  • how much
  • how long
  • modification of the amount and/or duration of the alimony payments 
  • will there be a cost of living adjustment
  • religious divorce issues
  • resolution of future disputes
  • religion of children
  • health insurance and uncovered medical costs for the parties

About
Maurice Segall

Maurice is an experienced mediator who’s worked successfully with many couples to reach mutually agreeable resolutions of their divorce, post-divorce, and prenuptial and postnuptial matters.

Maurice has been an attorney since 1988, and for the past 25 years has concentrated his private practice in divorce and family mediation. Maurice is a member of the Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce, and a former Board member of its predecessor organization. He has served as trainer for Dr. Carl Schneider of Mediation Matters, and as a consultant mediator for the Stamford Counseling Center in Stamford, CT. He is a member of the Connecticut and New York State Bars. Maurice is an honors graduate of the University of Delaware and of Albany Law School of Union University.

Maurice is also very active in the community. He currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Family and Children’s Agency, and Circle of Care for Children with Cancer. He served for many years as the chairperson of the Pro Bono Committee of the Fairfield County Bar Association (FCBA). He also served on the Board of Directors of several other nonprofit organizations including the Wilton Library, Family and Children’s Agency, the Connecticut Consortium for Law and Citizenship Education, Connecticut Legal Services, and Curtain Call. He is the founder of the FCBA High School Mock Trial Competition, overseeing that program for 30 years. Maurice is also affiliated with Pro Bono Partnership, a nonprofit agency providing free legal services to charitable organizations.

Maurice was the first practicing attorney ever to receive the prestigious Liberty Bell Award from the FCBA, given to one recipient each year for outstanding community service.

Testimonials

"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you so much for helping and guiding us through this process. Lord knows it hasn't been easy, and I imagine we weren't fun to deal with at times, but we are so appreciative of your steady and calm way as you helped us through this difficult time. We are lucky to have had you."
Mediation Client
"We very much appreciate your assistance and guidance through this process. You made a difficult turn of events as comfortable as they could possibly be."
Mediation Client
"It has been a pleasure working with you. Your calm, clear guidance and expertise made the process go as well as it could go. Thank you, Maurice, for what you do."
Mediation Client
"As usual, I come away with great awe at the way you handle very notty and contentious issues."
Review Attorney
"Thanks so much for your patience and understanding. You've been truly terrific and I'll highly recommend you to anyone."
Mediation Client
"Thanks for all your help, you made a difficult process as easy as it could have been."
Mediation Client
"For the record, as awful as my divorce was (I still maintain it never should have happened) the more people I see go through it, the more grateful I am for our situation and your help in helping make it as civilized as it was/is."
Mediation Client
"Thank you for your help. I definitely felt the process of mediation was a good choice and would be glad to recommend your services."
Mediation Client
"I want to thank you for all of your help over the last year plus. We appreciate your guidance and advice in coming to a fair agreement."
Mediation Client
"We both want to thank you for everything, and we'd definitely recommend you to anyone who has need for your services."
Mediation Client
"Thank you Maurice for all that you have done during this difficult time. You have been a valued partner helping us through this legal mine field ultimately coming up with a fair and equitable agreement."
Mediation Client

Contact Maurice Segall LLC

Phone (203) 359-1999 msegall@ctmediation.com
Stamford Office
Wilton Office

A Top RANKED Mediation Attorney in Fairfield County

Maurice has been ranked as one of the top mediation attorneys in Fairfield County in the March/April 2021 editions of Greenwich, New Canaan/Darien +  Rowayton, Stamford, Westport/Weston + Wilton and At Home magazines.

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