Shahram Citing high costs and emotional stress associated with spousal separation, divorce, child custody, visitation and distribution of marital assets, University at Buffalo doctoral candidate Nadia Shahram created Matrimonial Mediation Service of Buffalo Inc. so she can help elevate those conflicts.

"As a result of my own cultural heritage and belief in the advantages of mediation, I have a keen interest in resolving disputes outside of the courtroom setting," Shahram said.

During a trip to Europe in 1997, Shahram noticed that family mediation was widely used and successful in resolving disputes, such as those that after occur during divorce, so she decided to bring this type of conflict resolution to Western New York.

"Your decision to litigate or mediate your divorce determines the extent of financial and emotional damage," said Shahram. "Mediation is a peaceful and civilized process. It puts the focus on healing your relationship, not as husband and wife, but as one human to another, which results in less agony for the entire family."

Shahram was trained as a divorce and family mediator at the Rochester Mediation Center. Since 2000, she has assisted more than 400 couples. Shahram is a UB Law School graduate and adjunct professor of law and government, and she uses her training, along with compassion and spirituality, to resolve relationship conflicts at the time of separation.

"As a mediator, I help couples better understand the issues and may offer suggestions or develop options to resolve them," she said. "However, their final agreement is in the hands of the parties involved. This is contrary to the traditional divorce where lawyers present the case to a judge, who makes the final decision."

Shahram explained that the process focuses on finding a solution rather than fault, helping refocus relationships on parenting and guiding their children through this process.

"With my help, spouses can create their own customized separation agreement in compliance with New York State guidelines as set forth in domestic relations law," she said. "I help families settle their differences in an amicable and fair manner."

The Williamsville businesswoman also stated that she helps her clients save time and money, noting that on average a contested divorce costs anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000, whereas on average a mediated divorce costs between $1,000 and $1,500.

"My services often take a fraction of the time traditionally taken for a separation or divorce, by supporting a cooperative rather than competitive decision-making process and allow spouses to resolve issues constructively, in privacy and with dignity," Shahram said.

Matrimonial Mediation is located at 5500 Main St., Suite 340, between Grove Street and North Cayuga Road. For an appointment or information, contact Nadia Shahram at 565-1299 or online at www.Buffalomediation.com.