Contemplating Divorce: the Courage to Settle

  Settlement or Court Litigation During Your Divorce   A quick check of the dictionary indicates that the word “settle” has many meaning.  Settle can mean, among other things, to agree, covenant, compensate, reconcile, mend, compromise, reside, or verify.   As I use the word, settle or settlement means to resolve a dispute. While representing clients over the years, I have identified certain factors to consider when addressing the pros and cons of a proposed settlement.  The basic calculus boils down to resolving a dispute through negotiation with an opponent or by way of a judicial decision.  To begin, settlement does not mean capitulation.  If an opponent’s position is so rigid or fundamentally divergent from what the law would provide, resolution by court is appropriate.  That being said, the contrast between negotiating with an opponent and the uncertainty in determining a court outcome is not usually so stark.  Settlement, particularly in divorce or custody cases, is made up of many shades of gray. It is also useful to understand that a court decision is inherently limited by the boundaries of the law.  Judges are prohibited from granting relief for anything other than what is available to a party through statute or case law.  These boundaries can diminish the creativity of parties to find a solution to the problem that they really may wish to address.  Similarly, the emotional concerns of parties are rarely dealt with adequately when a dispute is resolved through a judicial decision, especially in fights that involve members of a family.  Resentments that are not dealt with because of the limitations of the litigation process can continue...

Mediation and Expectations of Privacy

Mediation is a popular dispute resolution tool.  During a typical mediation, the parties sit down with an impartial mediator who facilitates discussions between the parties with the goal of having them reach a mutually acceptable agreement.  A mediator may help identify issues and options, assist the parties and their attorneys in exploring the needs underlying their respective positions, and upon request, record points of agreement expressed and adopted by the parties.  The mediator does not recommend terms of an agreement. Parties in a dispute can always engage the services of a mediator before filing a claim in court.   Over the past twenty years, courts have also recognized the utility of mediation and have routinely made referrals to court-appointed mediators in civil cases, notably family matters, but also in relation to business disputes and probate actions.  By using mediation to facilitate settlements, courts can clear their dockets and operate in an efficient manner. While disputes may be resolved by courts, most people prefer to avoid the expense and lengthy time commitment associated with a trial.   Court records are also generally open to the public, while mediation places a premium on privacy.   Standards of conduct for a mediator, including procedures related to confidentiality, have been incorporated in Maryland law and continue to evolve. The recently reported Maryland case, Sang Ho Na v. Malinda Gillespie, gives us insight into the matter of confidentiality during a mediation procedure.  The mediation in the case involved a custody dispute between two parents.  Prior to a hearing before a court on custody, the parents attended a private and voluntary mediation.  As a part of this procedure, the...