Travis R Marker

After nearly ten years in the field of family law and fifteen years of mediation I have grown frustrated with the perpetual cycle.  On a regular basis I represented husbands or wives in their efforts to dissolve their marriages.  On rare occasions, because they come up rarely, I was asked to mediate with a couple that wanted to stay married.  In these rare cases when both partners to the marriage came to me to help resolve their marriages, it worked!  I celebrated the fact that the couple had survived the potential snare of believing ending their relationship would actually make life better.

I will clarify that there are cases in which divorce is unfortunately healthy for all parties involved, but in the vast majority of the cases I have worked with, which probably are in the hundreds, I am positive that the regular outcome was an enhanced status of instability, frustration, and perpetual conflict, which only increased, in some cases, when a new spouse or partner entered the picture.

This lead me to ask, "Why don't I help couples stay together?  Why don't I help families make it work?"  I realized that one person, would pay me thousands of dollars to end the marriage.  Why wasn't it likewise true that couples might pay thousands of dollars to fight for their marriage.  I will also end that thought with collaborative couples fighting for their marriage won't have to pay thousands of dollars.  They will learn how to approach conflict, reach agreements, set goals, and become effective partners in dispute resolution and a successful marriage.  

So, I am inviting you NOT to get divorced.  Call me!  I will work hard for your marriage.  You loved the person you married.  You may wonder if that person still exists.  You may doubt that they can ever change.  You may not care, but I'm telling you from experience that your life will not be generally better by ending this relationship.  I believe in marriage and believe individuals can work for the preservation of the institution of marriage.

I will willingly mediate the following issues for couples, even those who are divorced, already or who have not married but have children together:

Couple issues, i.e. staying married, preserving the relationship, affairs/adulty, etc.

Parent-time/Visitation Issues

Custody Disputes

Finanical/Budget disputes

Step-Parent/Step-family issues

Parenting Agreements, i.e. helping parents agree on parenting approaches

Parent/Child conflicts, i.e. conflicts between parents and children

Probate Disputes

Extended Family Disputes

Etc

Additionally, I will consult and mediate as a mentor.  I believe some parents don't understand how to personally engage in conflict, parenting, marriage, or partner relations.  I can help that individual learn to mediate family conflicts, negotiate with children or a spouse or partner.  I want to help you make it work!