We assist individuals in resolving disputes regarding marriage, separating, divorce, parenting plans, support payments, alimony, division of assets, elder care, the family’s budget, division of inherited property, and family business succession, among other family-related issues.
Sebastian Church Local Trusted Mediators
How is mediation conducted?
In a confidential atmosphere, the mediator assists each side in communicating and understanding what is essential to the other party. With the mediator’s assistance, the parties:
· identify the problems that need resolution;
· prioritise the problems and address them one by one;
· debate potential solutions;
· reach an agreement over parenting arrangements, finances, or other matters;
· have a copy of their evolving agreement produced; and
· examine, amend, and prepare for signature the agreement.
Can a mediator offer legal advice?
While some mediators may have a legal background and others may have credentials in fields such as mental health, our unique job as mediators does not entail representing or advocating for any side; we are, in essence, neutral. Mediators may provide information on state laws and local court processes, as well as other accessible resources, but cannot provide legal advice. In other words, we do not interpret legislation, advise on or advocate particular legal actions that might favour one party over another, nor do we interpret statutes.
What if there is a family history of violence or substance abuse?
After establishing the type, frequency, and severity of earlier acts of abuse, the mediator must determine if mediation can be safe and successful. If safety can be ensured and each party can comprehend the ramifications of the choices under consideration, then mediation may still be beneficial.
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What should I do if my current or former spouse is absolutely unreasonable and unmovable?
Nonetheless, mediation is often effective. Even if the parties seem to be at an impasse, the mediators will find methods to assist them go ahead. For the majority of individuals, face-to-face meetings are the most efficient and effective, but for some clientele, separate meetings (caucusing) are more efficient and effective. In such circumstances, the mediator meets with each side individually, asks pertinent questions, and relays information and suggestions between the parties.
When is the most optimal time to begin mediation?
As soon as the parties agree to attempt out-of-court resolution of their dispute. It is preferable to attempt mediation before the lawsuit process builds too much distrust between the parties and before the attorneys commence costly discovery procedures. Early mediation may save the parties tens of thousands of dollars and reduce long-term stress.
Do mediators make attorneys irrelevant?
There is always a relevant role for consulting lawyers in family law proceedings. Prior to and/or during mediation, it is optimal for the parties to get any necessary legal advice from their own respective attorneys. Numerous mediators advise parties to have their respective lawyers analyse a proposed agreement before signing it.
How many mediation sessions are required during a divorce?
The response depends on the number of problems to be handled, their complexity, the level of disagreement between the parties, as well as their capacity and desire to negotiate in good faith and collaborate without allowing strong emotions to dominate the process. However, a typical complete divorce case may need anywhere from two to eight meetings, with homework in between. Individually tailored Parenting Plans may need between one and three sessions.
Should we attempt mediation even if one of us is sceptical?
Yes. Even if you cannot address all of the concerns via guided discussions, you may be able to reach an agreement on some of them; in such circumstances, we may draught a “Partial Agreement.” You will continue to save time and money, as well as prevent unneeded worry.
What financial benefits does mediation provide over litigation?
Working with two independent attorneys to conduct discussions is the most popular alternative to mediation. This is much more costly due to the following factors:
· Mediators often charge lower hourly rates than attorneys;
· Lawyers often bill clients for additional hours of effort to reach a conclusion since they are compensated for the time they spend conversing with you and the other party’s attorney.
· For a divorce professional’s time to complete two hours of work, two family members may either pay two attorneys (for a total of four hours of work) or a mediator (for a total of two hours of work);
· Divorce litigation requires a great deal of inefficiently spent time, as well as expensive procedural procedures (such as submitting statements and petitions, witness statements, evidence, and innumerable back-and-forth conversations between the attorneys, etc.), while mediation is an easy process. The Agreement reached via mediation may be readily converted into a court order.
Is mediation always productive?
While no technique of dispute resolution is guaranteed to succeed, mediation has higher success rates than litigation. This is partially due to the fact that in mediation both parties “win,” but only one side “wins” in litigation. For mediation to be successful, both parties must negotiate in good faith and seek resolution. For instance, mediation may fail if a person would rather spend punishing an ex-spouse than maintaining the majority of that cash in the household for the sake of the children. If the parties have unreasonable expectations and each believes the judge will perceive things as they do, they may need one or two court sessions before they are ready to bargain in good faith. This kind of exposure often teaches individuals that there is no assurance of fairness or justice in family court. Mediation enables you to retain control of the process.
Is it too late to attempt mediation if I already have a lawyer?
Mediation remains an option. In mediation, you may retain or pay an attorney for guidance, but undertake the majority of the bargaining work yourself at a significantly lesser cost. Even if you hire an attorney to defend you in court, you may handle the most of the negotiations yourself with the assistance of a mediator. This may be preferable than employing two attorneys to negotiate on behalf of the two parties. Numerous lawyers are pleased when their clients engage with mediators to settle the majority or all of their disputes outside of court.
What benefits does mediation offer?
You will be responsible for making choices. You, the folks involved, know your children and family better than anybody else. You are not required to let a stranger in a courtroom to dictate how your family will function or how you will raise your children.
· Mediation is far less costly than litigation.
· Mediation is far less stressful than litigation.
· Mediation is far quicker than navigating the very intricate procedures of litigation.
