Services - Mediation
“Discourage litigation. Persuade neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out that the nominal winner is often the real loser in fees, expenses, and waste of time.”
At a Glance
A professional mediator acts as a qualified but neutral third party to help litigants reach an agreeable solution in a private and confidential venue. Each party participates with the assistance of legal counsel.
A Professional Mediator:
Listens to both sides of the case
Clarifies arguments
Offers suggestions
Provides perspective about the law and different approaches to resolve conflicts
A Mediator DOES NOT:
Offer legal advice, counseling or therapy
Explain which options are in your best interest
Render a verdict
Prepare legal documents, including court orders
Who it’s for
Family Law:
Creating parenting plans or changes to existing plans
Resolving violations of a plan or other court order
Parent relocation involving a child
Dissolution terms (temporary or final), division of assets, debts, timing, retirement/elder care planning or quadro concerns
Child support (establishment, adjustment or modification)
LGBTQ or Intimate Committed Relationship cases
Military divorces or parenting disputes
Paternity or De facto parentage cases
Third party non-parent cases
Financial and property disputes:
Property damage and repairs, sale or transfer of real property
Complex property and business distribution
Tax or Medicare implications of structured settlements
How does Mediation differ from going to court?
Mediation is the least adversarial method to resolve a dispute. The process invites both parties to discuss options and find solutions in a confidential setting. Most mediation sessions can be accomplished in a few hours, with little down time like waiting hours in a courtroom for a few minutes with the judge.
Courtroom litigation requires the parties to be adversaries and often reveals a “winner” and a “loser” when the judgment is rendered. Mediation helps both parties communicate openly and feel heard without the pressure of arguing in court before the general public.
Once an agreement is reached, attorneys for the litigants will prepare legal documents that reflect the decision and file it with the courts.