Another Type of Resolution

By Robin Perrigo-Mermans

Every January, millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions as they aim to better themselves over the subsequent 12 months. After my own divorce, which was complicated, unhealthy, and tumultuous, my New Year’s resolution was to provide divorcing couples a healthier way to divorce. In January 2011, ROAD to RESOLUTION: Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Family Law was founded. I love the idea of New Year’s resolutions; however, I’m here to share perspective about another type of resolution: alternate dispute resolution.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

As a certified mediator and collaborative family law attorney, my mission is to help people move mindfully through conflict to reach a healthy resolution. I am able to do this through practicing mediation and collaborative law which are alternate dispute resolution methods. While the majority of my cases are focused on divorce and family law, these alternative dispute resolution techniques can be used to settle any type of dispute.

Resolution with Mediation

Mediation is a type of dispute resolution method that allows parties to settle their matters outside of the court system with the assistance of a third-party mediator. After a series of in-person discussions, the resolutions that result from mediation will be pulled into a summary which is used by an attorney to draft your agreement.

Resolution with Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is another type of dispute resolution that allows parties to settle their matter outside of the court system with attorneys who agree to approach the process through problem solving and troubleshooting rather than the traditional fight and win mentality. This method is growing in popularity nationwide for family law cases because it’s known to save time and money while causing less emotional turmoil. The practice is also able to consider the emotional needs of the parties involved including the well-being of children.

Finding your Road to Resolution

Through my unique personal experience and professional knowledge, I strive to help others who are seeking personal, financial, and emotional closure. I believe that using alternate dispute resolutions methods to resolve conflict is the best way to reach an agreement that meets the needs and interest of everyone involved in a healthy manner, leading to a complete and satisfying resolution.

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Robin Perrigo-Mermans is a collaborative attorney and certified mediator. She owns ROAD to RESOLUTION, a divorce mediation and collaborative family law firm, in Charlotte. Due to her unique perspective as an attorney, mother, and stepmother, she is an expert in shared parenting solutions and co-parenting guidance. She is committed to using her personal story and passion to help her clients save time and money, while avoiding unnecessary emotional turmoil during their divorce journey and on their road to resolution.