mediation

I have been slack in updating the blog. What follows is what I wrote after our mediation on 1/11/11.

After a very long day, with extreme ups and downs, the end result, as expected was that Liam's mom would not budge.

Luckily, we were in separate rooms and the mediator shuffled between us, hearing each side, examining evidence, and then trying to find common ground for a compromise. The mediator we had is considered one of the best in the state of Florida. And as I may have mentioned earlier, she worked with us pro bono--very rare and unheard of in mediation. We thought she was great, and my impression is that the other side thought so as well. On an interesting note, Katherine was at the mediation alone, without her partner.

While I continue to be educated in our legal system and discover its many nuances, the mediation was not a waste. My feeling is that Katherine is "punishing" me for ever trying to make my father-son relationship with Liam legal. My take is that for her, the issue is completely and only about control. She wants 100% control over every single decision regarding Liam. She offered an insincere deal which would have allowed me to spend time with Liam, but superficially, keeping her unaccountable for her actions.

The good news is seed has been planted in her, through both the mediator and her attorney, that perhaps she will begin to understand that at trial, if I prevail and am recognized as Liam's father, per Florida law, she will have to relinquish control 50-50. My gut tells me she thinks she is above the law and that in her mind, she is the mother and what she says overrules what anyone else say. My gut also tells me she has re-created her own version of events, including blocking out the past two years. Delusional? Yes. Scary? Yes. Right? No.

The next step is the trial. It is not a hearing as I used to mention--these are two completely different procedures. Depositions are being set and the trial is scheduled for 14 -16 Feb. If you live in Miami and have the time, please come and sit in our trial, even if just for an hour. Your support has been amazing and given strength for both of us to move forward in this unfortunate situation. I will send out a note with more details (location, time, etc). Some of you will be contacted prior by our attorneys and some will be asked to give testimony--I'll speak with you individually.

Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, emails, notes, and such. It's been two years since I've seen, held, or heard Liam. Four more weeks is not long in comparison. Hopefully the end result will be as it should in the best interest of the one who matters most--Liam with a legal father and mother.