8 - The Amicable, Restorative Divorce with Erin Birt

Host: Melissa Wheeler Farag, family law mediator and recovering divorce litigator

Guest: Erin Birt, attorney-mediator of Birt Family Law from Chicago, Illinois

• Melissa: Welcome back to the High Vibe Divorce Podcast. Here, we believe that divorce is not a failure but a new beginning and a vehicle for transformation.


• Gratitude: Thank you to everyone for supporting the podcast in its first season.

• Guest: Erin Birt, attorney-mediator and founder of Birt Family Law in Chicago, Illinois.


• Background: Erin has been practicing since 2003, is a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor, and advocates for "Restorative Divorce," her proprietary approach to amicable divorce settlement.

1. 
   

   Erin’s Approach:

   
   
   • Restorative Divorce focuses on keeping families intact despite divorce and supporting children's well-being.
   
   
   • Erin emphasizes accountability, consequences, and action plans to address family issues outside the court system.
   
   
   
   


2. 
   

   Mental Health in Divorce:

   
   
   • Importance of addressing clients' mental health and well-being.
   
   
   • Erin’s practice includes initial screenings and continuous support for clients' mental health.
   
   
   • Discussing the misconception that mental health treatment can negatively impact custody cases.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   

   Choosing the Right Divorce Process:

   
   
   • The importance of mediation and other non-court processes for most family law issues.
   
   
   • Litigation is necessary only for severe issues like abuse or fraud.
   
   
   • Emphasizing that mediation allows for a more personalized and future-focused resolution.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   

   Impact of the Legal Process:

   
   
   • The emotional and financial toll of prolonged litigation.
   
   
   • Court processes often lead to frustration and lack of control over outcomes.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   

   Encouraging Wellness:

   
   
   • Tips for maintaining mental health during the divorce process.
   
   
   • Encouragement to use resources like therapy and support groups.
   
   
   
   


6. 
   

   Professional Differences:

   
   
   • Contrast between litigators and mediators in terms of stress and approach.
   
   
   • Benefits of choosing mediation for a more positive and solution-oriented process.
   
   
   
   

• Affirmation from The Untethered Soul:
  
  • "The only permanent solution to your problems is to go inside and let go of the part of you that seems to have so many problems with reality."
  
  
  
  

• Erin’s Advice:
  
  • Gather information about mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
  
  
  • Reach out and learn about the methods to find the best fit for your situation.
  
  
  
  


• Melissa: Thank you for listening to High Vibe Divorce. Stay in touch, keep the vibes high, and the conflict low.

• Erin Birt:
  
  • Website: https://www.birtlaw.com/
  
  
  • Instagram: Erin Birt | Birt Family Law
  
  
  
  


• Melissa Wheeler Farag:
  
  • Website: hivibemediation.com
  
  
  • Instagram: High Vibe Mediation | Podcast
  
  
  
  

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