After practicing law for nearly a quarter of a century, Richard Gordon knew there must be a better way for people to divorce.

“I was burned out practicing law,” he said. “I was tired of the contest; the winning and the losing did not mesh with my personality. I would rather be the peacemaker.”

Gordon felt that couples, both straight and gay, could avoid the mental wear and tear of a courtroom divorce battle. So at A Fair Way Mediation Center, couples resolve the ending of their relationships without going to court by reaching a compromise that satisfies both parties.

“We understand the issues that come up when relationships end,” Gordon said. “These issues are similar whatever the nature of the relationship. Our experience is with gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight couples. In fact there are those who refer to us as ‘pioneers in the mediation arena.’”

The challenges in divorce or breaking up are frequently more intense for same-sex couples because there is no body of law to fall back upon, Gordon said. Issues such as property division, retirement distribution, debt repayment, spousal and child support and visitation and custody of children are the various concerns that mediation addresses.

The advantage of mediation is not only that it creates a more favorable setting, but it also saves couples from paying expensive legal fees that accumulate due to ongoing courtroom battles.

“We help prevent all the heavy legal fees that are normally involved with lawyers and protracted litigation,” Gordon said. “Our costs are usually lower and you can ‘pay as you go,’ letting you proceed with the divorce at the same pace as your finances allow.”