Mediation
Mediation is often considered when the parties prefer to come to a settlement outside of a courtroom with the assistance of a mediator.
The mediator is a neutral third party who facilitates the negotiations between the parties and oversees the process. Both parties can freely and confidentially present their goals and positions and the mediator can help put these into a mutually-acceptable perspective that will satisfy each party.
Choosing an Approach...
At Story Law, when we act as mediators, our core approach of mediation is to work with the parties to arrive at the most acceptable options for both parties in order to reach a settlement. We apply methods, tools and trainings, as needed, to craft a desired resolution for the parties.
We also represent clients in mediations when they want legal counsel to assist them in working with a mediator to create a settlement.
Common Areas of Practice for Mediation:
Dissolutions/Divorce
Maintenance/Support/Alimony
Parenting/Custody
Community Property
Paternity
Child Support
Prenuptial Agreements/Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Separation
Property and Liabilities
Separate Property
Parenting/Child Support/Maintenance Modifications
Benefits of Mediation as an Approach
Mediation may be less expensive and quicker than litigation or Collaborative Law as points of understanding, clarification, and agreement may be found more quickly, in a less confrontational way.
There is often greater flexibility in this approach compared to litigation, and relationships may even be preserved or salvaged while coming to a compromised settlement. Clients who have gone through a mediation feel the result is fair, since they have a more personal say in the ultimate settlement.
The mediator leads the process and conducts the negotiations but has no authority to make a binding decision for the parties; decisions are solely for parties to make.
How It Works
- Getting started with Story Law happens with a short, scheduled phone call. You don’t need to know which type of approach you’re looking for. We’ll ask for some general information and answer your initial questions as well.
- If you choose to move forward, the next step is to schedule an in-person meeting. We will have plenty of talking points to explore from the call, plus any details that arise.
- There is more to this initial process, but these are the main points about how we begin here at Story Law.
