We help people resolve disagreements about marriage, separation, divorce, parenting schedules, child support, alimony, property division, elder care, the family’s budget, distribution of inherited property, family business succession, and other family matters.

In a confidential setting, the mediator helps each party to communicate what is important to him or her and to hear what is important to the other party. With help from the mediator, the parties:

• Identify the issues that need to be resolved;
  prioritize the issues and focus on one at a time;
• Discuss possible solutions;
• Come to agreement about parenting plans and/or financial or other issues;
• Have a draft prepared of their emerging agreement; and review, revise, and prepare the agreement for signing.

While some mediators may have a legal background and others have backgrounds in other professional areas such as mental health, as mediators we are in a unique role that does not involve representing or advocating for either party—in essence, we are neutral to both parties. Mediators can give you information about state laws and local court procedures and can tell you about other resources available, but we do not give legal advice. That is, we do not interpret statutes or advise about or recommend any specific legal action that would benefit either party over the other.

The mediator must assess whether mediation can be safe and effective after understanding the nature, frequency, and intensity of prior incidents of such abuse. If safety can be assured and each party is able to understand the implications of decisions being considered, then mediation may still proceed successfully.

Often, mediation works anyway. Mediators find ways to help the parties move forward, even though they might appear to be at an impasse. For most people, face-to-face meetings are most efficient and effective, but for some clients, separate meetings (caucusing) work better. In such situations, the mediator meets with each party separately, asks questions, and carries relevant information and proposals back and forth between the parties.

As soon as the parties agree to try to resolve their differences outside of court. It is best to try mediation before the litigation process creates too much mistrust between the parties and before the lawyers initiate expensive discovery processes. Mediation early on can save the parties thousands of dollars and minimize long-term distress.

As soon as the parties agree to try to resolve their differences outside of court. It is best to try mediation before the litigation process creates too much mistrust between the parties and before the lawyers initiate expensive discovery processes. Mediation early on can save the parties thousands of dollars and minimize long-term distress.