It's the day after the presidential inauguration here in the United States and one thing is for certain: a change has come to Washington. Now don't be confused: you are reading an Equitable Mediation Services' NJ divorce mediation article but are probably wondering: what does the presidential inauguration have to do with divorce and mediation? I'm glad you asked.

The message we seem to be getting from Washington is that government can be a part of the solution, not the problem and the folks in Canada seem to agree with that assessment when it comes to divorce, child support and parenting plans. It turns out, the Ministry of Justice is requiring divorcing couples to take a six-hour course entitled "Parenting After Separation and Divorce" which hopes to instruct them how to assist their children through and after the divorce process. The logic being that if these individuals wish to use the justice system to pursue their divorce, then the justice system should have a say in how things are handled. And while I'm not sure I agree with that philosophy, it does bring one very important point to light.

Divorce may end a marriage, but it does not end a family. You still have your responsibility as parents long after your marriage has ended and unfortunately, may people forget that. It's sad to me that the government would have to step in and remind people of this but I can take from it one positive point: children do not come with instruction manuals and neither does divorce. By taking a course such as this, perhaps parents will learn a thing or two on how to be better parents and that in turn winds up benefiting the children. But how does this relate to mediation you ask?

During divorce mediation sessions, we not only work on resolving the four major areas of divorce but we also work on communication skills that will hopefully benefit both of you and your children in the long run. So while the USA does not yet have such a program, this type of encouragement and assistance is available to you every time you engage in divorce mediation. By removing your divorce from the adversarial legal process filled with lawyers, judges and courtrooms and moving it into a more collaborate divorce process such as mediation, you can realize the benefits of mediation as well as improved communication which will benefit both of you and your children for years to come.

So think about it: engage in divorce mediation and work through your differences and behave like adults for the benefits of your children or be required by the Federal Government to take a course to teach you how to do that. Seems like an easy choice to me.

Joseph F. Dillon is the founder of Equitable Mediation Services, a New Jersey based mediation practice that serves clients in Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex and Hunterdon counties. The practice was founded as an alternative to the high cost and high stress that is often associated with attorney-driven divorces. All mediation sessions are strictly confidential and handled with the compassion that such an emotional time deserves.

Mr. Dillon can be contacted by phone at (908)864-2177 or or Visit Web Site