There is nothing more stressful and challenging than contention among family members. Disputes within families often arise when facing separations, divorce proceedings, estate settlements or elder care, making life miserable and shredding your sense of peace.
We have solutions to resolve your disputes in a non-confrontational and cost-effective manner. Here are some areas of contention we can help with:
- Divorce/Separation Agreements
- Child Custody (Post-Divorce Parenting)
- Post-Divorce Matters
- Marriage Reconciliation
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Estate and Inheritance
- Elder Care
Family Mediation Process
The process for family mediation is different than civil litigation. The parties having the dispute meet individually with the mediator to voice their issues and concerns. To fully determine all issues and possible resolutions may result in several sessions with the mediator. Without pressure or confrontation, each party looks at the individual issues, tries to determine their own underlying interests and identify common ground with the opposing party.
Once an understanding on the issues is reached, a comprehensive mediated agreement is prepared, which is then reviewed by both parties. If the agreement needs to be amended, the mediator can propose the amendment to the opposing party. When full agreement is reached, the mediated agreement is signed by both parties. The parties then file the signed document with the court system and it becomes binding.
Salvaging Your Relationship Through Mediation
Mediation can be used not only to settle disputes, but also to salvage relationships. Verbal and written agreements can be crafted that help define and reset boundaries with clear terms setting out contributions, boundaries and the consequences for violating the boundaries. These agreements, when combined with professional counseling, can strengthen all areas within a relationship.
Using dispute-resolution techniques with family members and loved ones can help you to break old patterns and build new skills to communicate more effectively and strengthen relationships.
Why Mediation Works For Family Disputes
Since mediation is confidential and non-adversarial, divorcing spouses or contentious family members can resolve disputes by negotiating their own settlement with the help of an impartial third-party mediator. While it will not necessarily end all conflict between the parties, they will work together with one mediator to create a fair and equitable settlement.
Here are some benefits to resolving family issues through mediation versus litigation:
- Mediation Saves Money And Time – By working with one professional and sharing the cost equally, you preserve your family assets. Mediation is substantially less expensive than traditional litigation, saving you thousands of dollars.
- Mediation Protects Important Relationships – If children are involved in the dispute, mediation helps to protect each parent’s relationship with the children by creating a cooperative process. When parenting discussions arise, this process can be used again to deal with specific issues in an easier and more cost-effective manner.
- Mediated Agreements Have A Higher Compliance Rate – When disputes are settled through mediation versus adversarial resolutions through litigation, the parties tend to comply at a higher rate since they take ownership of the agreement.
- Mediation Allows You To Keep Your Dignity – Mediation is a cooperative process through which a mutually-selected mediator assists you in reaching your own agreement. Our system allows you to maintain control of your life, keeping your dignity and respect in the process.
To get started on the road to resolving your dispute with a family member or loved one, contact one of our mediators today by calling our office or fill out and submit a contact form.