Mediation is an informal, confidential and private process that provides the parties in dispute with an opportunity to share their concerns, brainstorm solutions, negotiate, and develop an agreement that meets the needs of both parties. Mediation is often the last opportunity that disputing parties have to control the outcome before giving the decision making over to a judge or jury.

Here are a few reasons why you should use my family mediation services:

• • • Low Cost: Mediation is much less expensive than traditional litigation.

    • Low Conflict: Mediation is a non-adversarial process that can help you improve your communication so that future conflict can be avoided.

    • Low Risk: Most mediations result in a settlement of all divorce issues and you can still use your lawyer to provide legal advice and review your agreement before you sign it. If you are not able to reach agreement, then you do not give up any legal rights by participating in mediation.

    • You are heard: In court, you often only have a short amount of time to present your perspective. In mediation, each participant has as much time as they need to discuss the situation and work together to develop a solution.

    • You are in Control: You and your spouse control the process and can develop an agreement that works for both of you, rather than having a solution imposed on you in court. In mediation you are also able to discuss issues that may not be covered under the law but are important for you to resolve.

    • Private and Confidential: Mediation is confidential process and there is no public record of your mediation session.

Going through a separation and divorce can be one of the most emotional and stressful periods in your life. My mediation services will provide you and your spouse with a safe and patient environment to work through the division of your marital property and finances. If you have children together, then I will also assist you in developing a parenting plan that works for both of you.

Custody and Parenting Planning mediation sessions allow the parents to develop a parenting plan agreement that is as unique as your children. Using mediation to resolve parenting issues and document your parenting plan can help reduce future conflict and allows you both to control the outcome.

Whether it is a standalone issue or part of a divorce settlement, I will assist you both in reaching a child support and / or spousal support agreement that is fair, equitable, and agreeable to both parties. As a mediator, I can not provide guidance about what the support amount should be, so it is important that both parties review the state court support calculator prior to mediation so that you each understand what amount would most likely be awarded in court.