Mediation is a cooperative process where parties work together to find an agreeable solution, while litigation is an adversarial process conducted in court. In mediation, parties communicate directly to identify shared interests and reach a settlement outside of court. Litigation, on the other hand, involves minimal communication between parties, with attorneys representing their respective positions in a courtroom setting.

Mediation is significantly more cost-effective than traditional legal representation or litigation for divorce settlements. Our fees are considerably lower than those of collaborative divorce alternatives, and we operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, eliminating the need for retainers. For clients with low income and net worth, we offer reduced fees. We can assess your eligibility for these reduced rates at the conclusion of your initial consultation.

Our experience includes working with couples who have had severe communication breakdowns, even those who haven't had a civil conversation in years. While better relationships facilitate the process, our integrative mediation model is designed to improve communication between partners who struggle to interact. We create an environment that encourages each partner to express themselves and understand the other, shifting the focus from adversarial positions to mutual problem-solving.

Family mediation offers several benefits, primarily by reducing conflict between parties. This approach often results in better post-divorce relationships and improved co-parenting. The process typically resolves issues more quickly than litigation, minimizing the impact on children. Additionally, mediation enhances communication between parties and provides them with conflict resolution skills that can be applied to future disagreements.

Family mediation is generally more cost-effective than a lawyer-driven contentious divorce. It allows spouses to find common ground on various legal issues, including custody arrangements, child support, property division, and spousal support. This can transform a contested divorce into an uncontested one, where the agreement is simply presented to a judge for approval. Mediation often avoids the multiple fees associated with litigation, such as attorney fees, discovery costs, expert witness fees, and guardian ad litem fees.

Divorce mediation may not be suitable in cases involving domestic violence, when one party is actively concealing information, or when there's a significant power imbalance between the parties. For mediation to be effective, both parties should be on equal footing and able to participate fully in the process without fear or coercion.

Even when one party initially appears irrational or inflexible, a skilled mediator can often make progress. We provide relevant information, such as legal standards, recent court decisions, and potential consequences of failing to reach an agreement, which can encourage reconsideration. If direct interaction is challenging, we can separate the parties and act as an intermediary, communicating information between them until an agreement is reached.

Partial agreements can still be valuable outcomes of mediation. Even if you don't resolve every issue, agreeing on key points can significantly simplify your case. Many clients find that they're able to settle their remaining differences shortly after mediation, having realized the benefits of maintaining control over their case rather than leaving decisions to a judge. At minimum, mediation often narrows the scope of contested issues, focusing subsequent efforts more efficiently.

A mediated agreement typically holds the status of a binding contract. However, most clients opt to submit their agreement to the family court for incorporation into an official court order. This step ensures that if either party violates the terms of the agreement, the other can seek enforcement through the court system.