“What training does someone need to become a divorce mediator?”

Most divorce and family mediators have completed a divorce and family-mediation training course. Many divorce mediators apprentice with other mediators or obtain supervision of other mediators for a time after they complete their basic training. Professional mediators generally pursue additional training in the substantive issues of separation and divorce. Most mediators bring years of relevant professional experience to their practice.

You should approach hiring a divorce mediator just like you would any other professional, such as a physician, lawyer, or accountant.

Before choosing a divorce mediator, you should obtain the following information:

• Training, experience, and background of the mediator
• Experience or knowledge in mediating the type of issues you have
• Fees charged and how fees are divided among the parties to the mediation
• Professional Memberships

Most important is whether you are comfortable with the mediator’s style and approach to the process.

Brian James is an experienced divorce and family mediator with offices throughout Chicagoland and Southeastern Wisconsin. He runs a mediation practice, C.E.L. and Associates where his approach to mediation is client driven.