Divorce Hotel is up and running in the Netherlands, where Halfens is helping unhappy married couples,divorce en suite. All but one of seventeen couples that tried Divorce Hotel left divorced. Some have shared the same luxury room or relaxed on the beach together. Now Halfens wants to bring his idea to the United States. He is negotiating with hotels in several states, including California and New York.
As entertaining as this may sound, this idea is flawed to say the least. Divorce Hotel and its prototypes prey on the couple’s emotional vulnerability. Often, couples struggle with the finality of their relationship, and the glitz and glamor of this setting only exasperates this dilemma. Most divorcing couples want to spend as little time as possible with their soon-to-be ex, let alone share the same room!
Another setback: Halfens concedes that only one-third of the couples that apply are accepted because, in his perspective, the other divorces are too acrimonious. If this were the standard for selecting mediation cases, most wouldn’t qualify! Divorces are intricate and complex, involving extensive financial arrangements and child custody issues, all entangled in a web of emotions. A “shot-gun” divorce doesn’t help. If the mediation process is rushed, couples will more likely feel confused, pressured and even unsure about their agreements. This hurts the couples, not helps.
At Families First Mediation, we go at your speed. Couples are not pushed or rushed. In fact, we make sure you have ample time to consider your options, and weigh what is right for you and your family. We know that divorce is painful and emotional, but we’ll make sure the process isn’t. Keeping our clients’ best interests at the focus of our practice, we are able to deliver a more amicable approach to a difficult situation.
