The Family Specialist's Role in Separation and Divorce

“Marriages can end, but families cannot” - this is a quote from one of the Family Specialists that I work with in my Collaborative and Mediation practices.

The Family Specialist is a registered psychologist with training and experience in child development, family systems, conflict resolution and communication skills. The Family Specialist will meet with each parent separately and then meet with the children on two separate occasions brought in by each of the parents. Their role is to bring the children’s feelings, experiences, thoughts and views into the process. As a lawyer and mediator, it is not my role to meet with the children, the only way to understand how the separation and divorce is impacting the children is to have them share their experience with a qualified professional. The Family Specialist brings the voice of the children into the process so the children feel heard and supported through their parent’s separation and divorce.

The Family Specialist will also work with the parents to help them develop a parenting plan and address any issues brought forth by the children or the parents. They work with the entire family to restructure what the new family system will look like during and after the separation or divorce.

By involving the Family Specialist in the process, then the lawyers are able to focus on what they do best which is dealing with the legal issues such as child support, spousal support and division of matrimonial property.

For more information on how the Family Specialist can benefit you and your children during separation and divorce, contact me at deanna@eponalawandmediation.com