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Divorce Mediator

Name: Polly Tatum, 37

Company: Mediation Advantage Services in Worcester, a provider of legal and mediation services to couples getting divorced or separated.

What is a mediator? A mediator helps couples settle disputes out of the courtroom system and helps make arrangements for child care or alimony.

GLOBE PHOTO/ AMY NEWMAN

What benefits are there to mediation? It saves a lot of emotional stress because both parties are willing to work together to find out what works for them. There is room for negotiation and progress when you have them talking face-to-face, rather than through a lawyer, and a case that goes to a judge who ultimately has the final say.

Why are more people using mediation? I like to think of mediation as empowering the participants. I give them the legal information and help in the forum, but the rest is their doing. They want to be there and that is a huge factor.

How did you come across this field of work? I was looking to combine law and human services so this fit nicely. I have a law background and have been doing conflict resolution since 1997.

What skills or background does a mediator need? Mediators don't necessarily need a law degree. They need to learn the legal aspects, but there also are a lot of psychologists and others with mental health backgrounds in the field. You need to be able to listen to people and to help them during a very emotionally taxing time in their lives.

How do the sessions work? I meet with a couple less than 10 hours, which usually means two to three sessions, and we work out a fair agreement to come up with something that fits the needs of everybody, whether that be with alimony or child care.

How much do they cost typically? A ballpark figure is $1,200, which is split between the couple. They go by the hour.

What demand is there for mediators? There were over 4,500 divorces filed in Worcester alone last year, and in the past people weren't aware of this alternative. Now that more people are aware of this alternative, the demand is growing.

What do you like best about your job? I like being able to help people who are going through a tumultuous time in a way that is designed to relieve them of additional stress and aggravation.

What's the salary? It's around $100,000-$300,000.

-MELANIE JANUS