Mediation

We now offer Mediation services by F. Richard "Rick" Van Pelt an American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers trained mediator in addition to our traditional legal representation.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process by which parties to a divorce action agree to meet with a third party who is usually a lawyer and trained Mediator. This may be done with or without the assistance of counsel. We frequently engage in Attorney-Assisted Mediation sessions.

In a Mediation session, you and your spouse, and frequently the lawyers, will sit down with the Mediator who is advised of the of your case and the issues involved. You will then engage in a process in which you attempt to resolve the issues that exist in the divorce case. These issues may include property and debt division, payment of maintenance, child custody and implementation of provisions for a parenting plan, determining what child support should be, and making decisions regarding the payment of attorney fees.

Mediation is frequently held over several days as the parties move through the various issues involved in the case. Sometimes, the mediated settlement can happen in one day, but that would be the exception and not the rule.

We have found Mediation to be very effective in cases, even if we don't resolve the entire case, in that, we usually resolve some issues such as personal property division or other issues that can then be taken off the table in the event there is a trial later. Reducing the Court time if the case has to go to trial, by agreeing to certain matters prior to trial in Mediation, is usually a significant economic benefit to the parties.

One of the other advantages of Mediation is that, as a general proposition, we have noticed that people who have input into those decisions affecting the division of their property and debts, payment of maintenance, provisions regarding child custody and contact, the provisions regarding child support, and the provisions regarding attorney fees, usually are happier with the result in the long-run than people who have the Court decide the issues and order them to do certain things based on the Court's judgment.

The cost for Mediation is usually split by the parties who are attending.