Mediation
Colleyville Mediation Attorney
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that is used instead of courtroom litigation to resolve family-related disputes. Depending on the degree of conflict and nature of the dispute, when mediation is appropriate, it can save time and resolve disputes with less cost than traditional litigation.
Less formal and binding than arbitration, mediation uses a neutral party called a mediator. The mediator’s job is to listen to both parties’ sides of the dispute, understand their objectives and to facilitate discussion aimed at reaching a compromise or settlement between parties. Unlike an arbitrator, a mediator is not judgmental and does not evaluate nor arrive at a ruling. The mediator fosters open communication either with or without clients’ counsel present and guides the parties toward resolution. Mediation has a greater likelihood of effectively resolving matters when the parties agree on at least some aspects of the issues involved.
Couples may use mediation to reach settlements regarding child custody, property division, visitation issues and financial concerns.
When Mediation Is Used
During the collaborative law process, as your attorneys, we may suggest bringing in a mediator if we believe it would help to resolve the domestic dispute more effectively.
Mediation can also be held after the lawyers for both sides have conducted adversarial discovery, obtained evidence and prepared their cases for trial. When this is the case, financial struggles, misdeeds, failures and other emotional trauma have usually already been aired. Either party can decide to end the mediation at any time, at which point the case may proceed to trial. Mediation does not always resolve matters, and under certain circumstances it may launch domestic disputes into arbitration or litigation.
At the law firm of Denton, Smith & Cunningham, L.P., our attorneys work with our clients to help them determine the best approach to their divorce proceedings. Training as a mediation lawyer opens up communication and enables an attorney to understand what issues will lend themselves well to mediation and what issues will not. We encourage our clients to speak freely and really get to know them and their issues before suggesting legal avenues to take. In addition, we always favor a legal strategy that will serve their needs and interests.
To discover how mediation can help resolve your family law issues, please call our Colleyville law office at (817) 479-0565. We will arrange a consultation with a mediation attorney at your convenience.
