Our Goal:
Our goal is to promote peace by minimizing your stress, saving you considerable expense, facilitating creative thinking to help you reach a mutually agreeable divorce, and beginning the healing process for your family.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution which means that the dispute is settled outside a courtroom. Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which a neutral third party (Mediator) facilitates communication between the disputing parties. The Mediator helps the disputing parties communicate with one another to explore options and solutions that are unique to their situation and to reach an agreement, but the Mediator does not attempt to force a settlement. The mediation process is non-binding, unless an agreement is reached.
Private Mediation v. Court Ordered Mediation
Private Mediation normally occurs before the disputing parties file their dispute with the court and instead of the parties hiring legal representation or appearing before a judge.
Court Ordered Mediation occurs after the disputing parties have filed their dispute with the court and the judge orders the parties to attempt mediation to solve their dispute.
Private Mediation v. Litigation
Private Mediation is a non-adversarial process where disputants are encouraged to discover and create mutually satisfactory solutions. Litigation is an adversarial process where both spouses retain attorneys to represent them in court and the Judge is the final decision maker.
Private Mediation is less formal than litigation since rules of law do not apply.
Private Mediation is less time consuming and less costly than litigation.