My Process as a Divorce Mediator

Since I am an attorney with over forty years experience in divorce litigation, I believe my approach may deliver better results than other mediation options available to you. I promise to provide a fair resolution for you and your spouse of your issues and concerns. Our overriding concern here is that you be able to settle your divorce on your terms and save many thousands of dollars.

The process is straightforward. You contact my office to schedule a consultation. There is no cost and it lasts approximately an hour. You and your spouse will both attend as we avoid any appearance of bias. What happens at a consultation? We openly discuss your case and its unique facts. In my law practice I handled hundreds of (for example) custody cases. While there were always recognisable patterns, I leaned that each case had its own facts, and facts are usually determinative of outcome. Sometimes you and your spouse may have reached a tentative agreement. I will review that agreement with you. I also will answer any questions you might have. While divorce is familiar to me, it is usually not the case for you. Therefore, no question is irrelevant.

I will also discuss the fee structure with you at the initial consultation. In some cases I can quote a flat fee. Others may require more involvement and would involve an hourly fee.

After the initial consultation, we start the process of actually mediating your case. I review your finances and advise how the law impacts each issue in your case, e.g., custody, visitation, support, distribution of marital property. You may have many ideas. My job is to inform you whether they are legally feasible and whether they would be acceptable to the court, the ultimate decider. Some issues may require third party involvement. For example, you may wish to appraise a pice of property, a pension, or a business. I have a list of experts I have worked with through the years. In a custody case, you may want to consult with a psychologist regarding your child or children. I am able to source such an expert (a little harder than it might seem at first glance since forensic psychiatrists with knowledge in this area are fewer than you might imagine). The last step is drafting, reviewing, and approving a settlement agreement(s).

Some very fine mediators are not attorneys. When they settle your case, they will recommend an attorney to handle the actual uncontested divorce filing. Since I am an attorney, we can prepare and submit all the documents and forms, and any necessary deed transfers, pension transfers, etc.

I decided to open a mediation office because a lifetime of litigating divorce cases led me to conclude parties are best off mediating their divorce. Sometimes litigating your case is the only solution, e.g., you may have an intransigent spouse who is incapable of voluntarily settling his/her case. But for most people I am convinced that the best outcome is achieved through mediation.

To set up an initial consultation, please call me office at the number listed on my website.