FAMILY MEDIATION

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 influence the outcome before handing over decision-making 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.  Most divorce mediations are resolved for $1,000.00 or less.

    • Low Conflict:  Mediation is a non-adversarial process that can help you improve your communication so that future conflict can be avoided.  Shuttle mediation is also available and is a useful technique for high-conflict situations or sensitive topics.

    • 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 unable to reach an agreement, 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 issues 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 a 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 minor children together, then I will also assist you in developing a parenting timeshare plan that works for both of you.  Mediation sessions are held remotely via Zoom video conferencing, so you can join from the security and comfort of your own home.

The Divorce Mediation Process

1. Introductory Call:  Prior to working together, I conduct a free introductory call with you and your spouse (together or separately) to discuss the mediation process and make sure that mediation is a good fit for your situation.

2. Select a date for mediation.  Depending on the complexity of the issues, mediation can last anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours.  Some complex mediations may take multiple sessions to complete.  You can use this link to schedule your mediation online when you are ready: Click to schedule your mediation

3. Complete the Property and Financial Disclosure.  The mediation confirmation email you receive from me will include a disclosure document that needs to be completed, exchanged with the other party, and then returned to me before the mediation.

4. Schedule and attend your pre-mediation conference.  Before the mediation, I will meet one-on-one with each of you to discuss the disclosure documents, your specific interests and goals for mediation, and answer any questions you may have about the mediation.  These sessions last 30-60 minutes but are billed for only 30 minutes each.

5. Mediation.  During your mediation session, I facilitate a discussion to assist you and your spouse in resolving the issues that you’ve identified.  Once all issues have been resolved, we conclude the mediation session.  

6. Document Mediation Settlement Agreement.  As you reach agreement, I document the terms and conditions into your mediation agreement.  Your draft agreement will be sent to you within 24 hours of final payment.

Custody and Parenting Planning mediation sessions enable parents to develop a unique parenting plan agreement tailored to their children.  Using mediation to resolve parenting issues and document your parenting plan can help reduce future conflict, allowing you, the parents, to control the outcome.  Mike has experience with a wide range of situations, including long-distance and multi-state agreements, supervised parenting time, and third-party timeshare arrangements.

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 do not provide guidance on what the support amount should be. Therefore, it is essential that both parties review the state court support calculator before mediation, so that you each understand what amount would most likely be awarded in court.