Mediation Process
How Mediation Works
Mediation is a straightforward three-step process that moves at whatever pace best suits you. I will guide you through each step, helping you to understand your choices, the law, your rights, and what typical agreements look like.
Your mediation is complete when you’re comfortable with your whole agreement. Unlike a judge or other outsider, I'll never force or pressure you into a settlement that doesn't meet your needs.
Meetings are typically 90 minutes and about one to two weeks apart. Of course, you can instead schedule meetings on your own timeline. So we'll always move at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
A typical mediation includes the following steps:
First, I'll learn about you, your family, and your finances — I start by listening to you. I want to learn your concerns, any goals you have for the process, as well as any ‘ground rules’ you wish for the mediation. I’ll also learn about your children if you have kids: things like each child’s academic, social and developmental progress. Finally, I will help you to identify and gather the legal and financial documents and other information you’ll need, so later on you’ll be prepared to make choices that best fit you.
Next, I'll help you identify the central issues and help you to set the course to resolve them — I will also help you to understand the law and what a court might do in situations like yours, to give you guidance in resolving each topic. Since I hold a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family therapy, I also have the skills and tools to help you keep things calm, help you to be heard, and help you reach agreements.
Last, once you're comfortable with all features of your agreement, the necessary legal documents are drafted and filed with the court — Since I'm also an attorney, I can take care of most of this for you if you choose, which is typical. Or you can do this yourself, or have someone else do this if you'd rather. And once a judge approves your agreement, it is official and legally binding, just as in court-litigated cases.
To download a copy of my Mediation FAQs, click the button below.
“People who use mediation are three times as likely to be satisfied with the outcome, versus using courts or having lawyers do the negotiation”
— St. John’s University Law Review
