Mediation

Mediation is an effective, affordable way to resolve the complex issues in a legal separation or divorce conflict.  Rather than having to present years of complex and important issues to a judge in a courtroom and ending up with a court order that may or may not meet your needs, mediation allows couples to come up with their own mutually crafted agreements.  Mari Irwin is a trained domestic relations mediator and has helped numerous clients mediate their cases to a successful outcome.

Mari can either act as a mediator or she can represent you as an attorney to creatively resolve your situation as amicably as possible.  As a mediator, Mari initiates conversations with both parties to try to reach an agreement that works for everyone.  Discussions are private, informal, and confidential. Mediation encourages respect for both parties’ interests as the mediator helps the parties discuss and create solutions acceptable to everyone involved.  A written agreement is then created that may become the basis of documents filed with the court. Each person is encouraged to consult with an attorney before finalizing any agreement.  Mediation allows parties to resolve their issues in ways that work for them, rather than having to take a case to trial and have a Judge enter a final judgment. Divorces based on agreements tend to be easier on both parties and keep hostilities at a minimum.

As your attorney at mediation, Mari can represent your interests, while helping create outside-the-box solutions to your concerns.

Typical divorce/separation issues that can be handled with mediation:

• Parenting plans
• Change in child custody
• Visitation
• Financial matters
• Division of assets
• Spousal support

Time Commitment Involved:  

• Sessions are scheduled at the convenience of both parties and their attorneys
• Mediations can be conducted on one day, or divided out into multiple sessions.
• Sessions can last anywhere from a few hours, to an all-day marathon

Benefits of Divorce Mediation:

• Making Your Own Decisions ~ Mediation recognizes both your ability and responsibility to make your own decisions about your family and life.  The mediator meets with both of the parties as a neutral person.  The mediator is not the decision-maker – the parties are.  The mediator’s role is to help the parties understand each other’s interests, clarify issues, and generate and explore agreement options and possibilities.  The mediator cannot force either party to move forward against his or her will.
• Generally Saves Time, Money and Energy ~ The pace of the mediation goes as slowly or as quickly as both parties agree it should.  Typically, the cost of a mediation session is shared by both parties and most often is considerably less expensive than a litigated case that can cost each party thousands of dollars.
• Additional Resources ~ Additional resources may be included in the process.  These might include counselors, tax advisors, financial planners, and others as warranted by the parties.
• Legal Information ~ An attorney-mediator can provide legal information to both parties but cannot and will not give legal advice.  “Legal information” usually includes general information about family law procedures, support guidelines, community property laws, and parenting plans.  Signed mediated agreements are a legally binding contract and are enforceable by the court.
• It’s a Confidential Process ~ Mediation is a confidential process by law and agreement.  This means that discussions, notes and proposals made in mediation cannot be disclosed to the court in the event that mediation does not result in a final agreement.  This makes it safe to make generous offers to settle the case.

High Rate of Compliance ~ Mediation offers a higher rate of compliance with the terms of an agreement than court-imposed settlements because both parties have worked together to fashion the agreement themselves.

Sometimes a compromise cannot be made between two parties.  We help mediate to an arrangement that caters to your best interest and intentions.