How much will this cost me?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Mediators invoice for their services on an hourly basis. The number of hours it takes to resolve your situation is what controls the ultimate cost. Ms. Paizs works with participants, working towards providing them with the most efficient way to resolve the issues or conflicts.
What is the difference between mediation and collaborative law?
In most custody mediations, the clients mediate without their attorneys present. This may also be true of financial and property settlement mediations. The clients then review any documents prepared by the mediator with their respective counsel after a mediation session. Other professionals, such as financial advisors and mental health professionals, may be suggested by the mediator and/or each party’s counsel, but are not part of the normal process. In the collaborative process, the attorneys are present at the time of the collaborative sessions, and other professionals are included as part of the team from the inception of the process. The Collaborative process often takes a little longer than simply using mediation, but provides a more holistic approach.
Will I have to pay child support?
Maryland law requires that parents support their children financially until the child reaches the age of 18 and has graduated from high school, whichever later occurs (but no later than the age of 19). Parents are not permitted by law to waive a child’s right to receive child support.
I want to stay in the marital home for the children. Will I be able to do that?
The answer to this question depends a great deal on the facts of a particular case. Maryland law permits the court to award use and possession of a marital home to the primary custodial parent for up to three years from the date of divorce. Maryland law also permits the transfer of title to a marital home to a spouse if that spouse can establish that he/she has the financial ability to refinance the mortgage to remove the other spouse from liability for the mortgage and to pay the other spouse for his/her share of the net equity in the home.