Recent Posts in About DFMS Category

DFMS Mediator Thurman Arnold, III, Receives Special Recognition for Contributions to the Riverside Courts' Family Law Mediation Program!

We are pleased and honored to share the news of some special recognition that was recently given to DFMS Mediator, Thurman W. Arnold, III, for his efforts in helping to establish the new Riverside ...
Continue reading "DFMS Mediator Thurman Arnold, III, Receives Special Recognition for Contributions to the Riverside Courts' Family Law Mediation Program!" »

Riverside County Family Law Mediation Panel Launches on May 3, 2012

Divorce and Family Law Mediations, Riverside County, California The Riverside County Superior Court's Family Law Mediation Panel website profiles were published today. We are pleased to report that ...
Continue reading "Riverside County Family Law Mediation Panel Launches on May 3, 2012" »

Announcing WEBSITE DESIGN and SEO For Mediators By Thurman Arnold

Website Design, Development and Optimization for Divorce and Family Law Mediation This is written to anyone who is a mediator, or who is beginning to make the commitment to establish a mediation ...
Continue reading "Announcing WEBSITE DESIGN and SEO For Mediators By Thurman Arnold" »

MEDIATION Is the Sane Alternative - But Only If You Value Your FAMILY And Your Money!

DFMS Is Now (Almost) 18 Months Old ! I want to compliment and honor those of you who have seen the terrible destruction and waste that is characteristic of family court litigation, and who have been ...
Continue reading "MEDIATION Is the Sane Alternative - But Only If You Value Your FAMILY And Your Money!" »

2011 Green Gulch Mediation Training Redoux!

"Mediation Intensive Training" at Green Gulch - the 2011 Redoux! Together with Bev Jewell, a mental health professional with whom I have co-mediated cases at my mediation center in Palm ...
Continue reading "2011 Green Gulch Mediation Training Redoux!" »

Can You Just HELP Us with a STIPULATED AGREEMENT and How Much Might It COST?

Q. My husband and I are planning a divorce. We read some of your blogs about mediation thank you for making so much information available. We have pretty much agreed how to divide our property. ...
Continue reading "Can You Just HELP Us with a STIPULATED AGREEMENT and How Much Might It COST?" »

How Might We Work With STRONGLY FELT EMOTIONS That Surface During Mediation?

As is to be expected, people in the midst of relationship transition are experiencing a deep range of emotions that include varying levels of personal distress. For some these are manageable when ...
Continue reading "How Might We Work With STRONGLY FELT EMOTIONS That Surface During Mediation?" »

Mediation Is Not Appropriate For Everyone: It is a VOLUNTARY PROCESS With Boundaries

Mediation is a difficult and beautiful dance. People arrive with deeply held and heartfelt concerns, and they will continue to hold these core values no matter what occurs. It is not for the mediator ...
Continue reading "Mediation Is Not Appropriate For Everyone: It is a VOLUNTARY PROCESS With Boundaries" »

BENEFITS of MEDIATION Include Receiving ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION

In the typical experience of divorce or partnership dissolution, parties may or may not make use of legal professionals. Estimates are that over 60% of people don't hire lawyers or even consult with ...
Continue reading "BENEFITS of MEDIATION Include Receiving ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION" »

Preserving AUTONOMY While Supporting MUTUALITY

Is mediation the best choice for you? Will the other person in your life participate at all, or participate fairly? We can't answer those questions. We can speak to how mediation might work for you ...
Continue reading "Preserving AUTONOMY While Supporting MUTUALITY" »

Mediator THURMAN ARNOLD III Recognized By California State Board of Specialization!

We are pleased to announce that Attorney and DFMS Mediator Thurman W. Arnold III has received notice from the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California that he officially ...
Continue reading "Mediator THURMAN ARNOLD III Recognized By California State Board of Specialization!" »

Understanding CONFLICT PATTERNS and WHY TO MEDIATE

One reason why people become "stuck" is that they develop patterns of dealing with conflict, over time, with their spouses, domestic partners, employers, children, inlaws, and just about everybody ...
Continue reading "Understanding CONFLICT PATTERNS and WHY TO MEDIATE" »

DO WE NEED MEDIATION If My Spouse and I Know Exactly What We Want to Do?

Q. So I am wondering - why would we need mediation if my wife and I already know and are agreed about how to divide our stuff? I am thinking we should have a cheap divorce. A. You may not need ...
Continue reading "DO WE NEED MEDIATION If My Spouse and I Know Exactly What We Want to Do?" »

Mediation As the First Choice for SAME-SEX Couples

We believe that mediation serves same sex couples particularly well. It doesn't matter whether you are a domestic partner or one of the 14,000 couples that married during the window that existed from ...
Continue reading "Mediation As the First Choice for SAME-SEX Couples" »

How Confidential is "CONFIDENTIAL" MEDIATION?

Q. One of reasons why I am considering mediation is that that I've heard it is confidential. It is really important to me and my family that our personal matters not become public. How confidential is ...
Continue reading "How Confidential is "CONFIDENTIAL" MEDIATION?" »

ABA Standards - "ENTERING MEDIATION"

The 2000 American Bar Association Model Standards for Mediation, and indeed the standards for all family law mediation, are based upon the principle of "informed consent." While once known as a ...
Continue reading "ABA Standards - "ENTERING MEDIATION"" »

American Bar Association Model Standards - CHOOSING A MEDIATOR

The American Bar Association's Model Standards (2000) define mediation and affirm its importance and core values that can help guide consumers in choosing their mediator. At DFMS we subscribe to these ...
Continue reading "American Bar Association Model Standards - CHOOSING A MEDIATOR" »

Why We Won't TALK ABOUT YOUR CASE When You INITIALLY CALL

The question of mediators talking to one party in the absence of the other can come up in a variety of contexts. This Blog discusses initial contacts from one party, often when they are simply seeking ...
Continue reading "Why We Won't TALK ABOUT YOUR CASE When You INITIALLY CALL" »

Mediate.com Publishes New Article by Thurman W. Arnold III

We are pleased to announce that Mediate.com, the largest information source for all types of mediation in the country, has recently published an article by Thurman W. Arnold entitled "The Peacemaking ...
Continue reading "Mediate.com Publishes New Article by Thurman W. Arnold III" »

Welcome to our California Family Law Mediation Blog

We are pleased to announce the launch of our Palm Springs Family Law Mediation blog, with an RSS Feed available. Please click the RSS Feed link to receive our articles as they are posted. Desert ...
Continue reading "Welcome to our California Family Law Mediation Blog" »