ABSTRACT

Sarah and Ed have been married for 15 years. They have three boys, ages 14, 10, and 5. They own a home in Ohio valued at $140,000 (a mortgage balance of $20,000), a 17-foot boat, and an investment portfolio valued at nearly $20,000 that Ed has managed for the last 5 years. Ed is an independent consultant who works primarily with teacher unions in bargaining contracts. He has earned an average of $80,000/year over the last 3 years. Sarah worked as a clerk in the parking and traffic office at the local college until their last child was born. She currently is a homemaker. Ed asked Sarah for a divorce 4 months ago and, although Sarah did not want it initially, she has agreed it is time to terminate the marriage. Ed's lawyer friend suggested that Sarah and Ed use divorce mediation as a method for reaching a divorce settlement agreement. Ed contacted their neighborhood mediation center and made an appointment with a divorce mediator. Sarah has agreed to go to mediation.