• phone: (805) 523-8898 fax: (805) 523-7733
• e-mail: peter@wieremediation.com

The role of Wiere Mediation is to help the disputants look at their situation differently and explore alternatives that might not be apparent -- to go outside the "nine dots". The judicial system does everything it can to stay inside the nine dots - the best solution may be outside!

(Print this page and try to connect the 9 dots without picking up your pencil from the paper. There is a solution! Email for the answer)

Pete's Perspectives on Divorce

One way to look at divorce is that it is a "family reorganization" from marriage to post-marriage, in which "all things marital" will now be done separately. In marriage, each parent played roles - management, sales, financial, accounting, mom, dad, transportation, etc. To be effective in divorce, the reorganization must address to the satisfaction of both parties how each will be able to effectively handle all the same responsibilities post-marriage.

Discover the "Carrot"

Mediation works best if there is something "in it" for both parties. The more difficult the negotiation, the more important it is to understand what is in it for the other party. In mediation, often the role of Wiere Mediation is to help discover and understand the "carrot" for both parties, even to the extent of finding ways to help the other party understand and discover their own "carrot".

How Many Ways to Divide a "Pie"?

Here are some options:

Cut it into two portions - not necessarily in half
One person takes the crust, the other the filling - perhaps one person likes one part better, or may even be allergic to one part
Sell the pie and divide the proceeds
Put the pie in the blender - divide into two portions - not necessarily equal

What about the pie tin? Perhaps one person would take the crust and filling, the other the tin - maybe that person could use the tin to make many pies?