Mediation Services in Columbia
Columbia Family Law Attorney Pursues Amicable Resolutions
If you are confronted with a family law case, it is important to know that you have options. Mediation can be a positive alternative to complicated divorces and offers sound resolutions to couples looking to separate. At Columbia Family Law Group, LLC, we proudly offer mediation services to individuals and families struggling to overcome complicated legal hurdles. Our firm proudly staffs our mediator Amy Salladay who is recognized by the Missouri Supreme Court as a professional mediator for family law cases. If you are looking to resolve a family law issue in an amicable matter, we encourage you to contact Columbia Family Law Group, LLC right away.
Why choose mediation?
Unlike a contested divorce, mediation offers both couples a chance to work through their differences to reach a favorable resolution in their divorce cases. Through a mediator, who acts as a neutral third party, decisions regarding assets, children, support and property can be discussed productively. The mediator will work to ensure that the exchanges between the divorcing parties are kept respectful and ensure that each party receives the best possible solution to their specific situation. Mediators are not on one side, but rather they act as a buffer to keep your case from being disputed in court. Couples who choose to mediate find that they do not require significant modifications in the future and are often more pleased with the decisions of their divorce decree than those who have their divorces determined by a judge.
In most cases, couples who are on semi-amicably terms that have a basic understanding of what they need from the divorce are most eligible to benefit from mediation. Mediation is often cheaper and less stressful than lengthy court litigation. This option also allows complete confidentiality between the parties and provides results in resolution being met in one session or over the course of a few sessions. When an agreement is made during a mediation session, the agreement will be reduced to writing and signed by both parties. This signature ensures that both parties agree and understand the terms that they have addressed and are willing to comply with the agreement.
Misconceptions About Mediation:
- If my spouse and I aren’t talking to each other, mediation won’t work.
Reality – Mediation provides the opportunity to successfully resolve family issues in ways that the couple hasn’t done before. By guiding and facilitating dialogue, gathering information and clarifying issues, the mediator can guide the couple through the entire process. - If I go to court and the judge hears my case, I will get a better result than in mediation.
Reality – It’s natural for each person to feel that he/she has been wronged and that the judge will make it right. Some clients “just want to be heard” and that every judge will be fair and complete when it comes to his/her decision. Mediation, however, allows each person to say things that they may never get the chance to say in court. It allows for complete decisions to be made about issues that are important to you. Judges always forget at least one important detail. Every judge also has personal biases he/she brings to the bench. Many judges are hardened by constant bad behavior and most judges do not view the courtroom as a place of punishment. - If I use a divorce mediator, I won’t be able to use a divorce lawyer.
Reality – You really should have a divorce lawyer and a mediator. Informed parties make better agreements and your divorce lawyer should be reviewing and/or drafting any agreements reached in mediation. - If I mediate my divorce, my spouse will get away with not disclosing financial information to which I am entitled; Reality – Prior to mediating both parties must sign a mediation agreement. This agreement generally provides for full disclosure of assets, debts, income and expenses.
- I thought you only go to a mediator if you want to reconcile your marriage; Reality – Mediation is not marriage counseling. People come to mediators for the purpose of obtaining a divorce with less pain than occurs in litigation. In a litigated divorce the judge decides what is fair; in a mediated divorce the couple decides what is fair.
- Why isn’t my lawyer referring me to mediation?
- Many rule out mediation because they believe it is inappropriate in certain kinds of cases as a matter of policy. This is disingenuous because at some point settlement of every kind of case has to be discussed and negotiated.
- Some lawyers believe you are incapable of making good decisions for yourselves.
- Some lawyers believe that your rights won’t be protected or they will be compromised in mediation.
- Force of habit. Many lawyers are set in their ways and afraid of trying something new.
- Attorney fees are at risk. You may not pay them as much.
Work with a Columbia mediator from our firm today!
Are you ready to move forward with your case? If you have questions regarding the various types of divorce that are available to you and how mediation can benefit your situation, we encourage you to contact Columbia Family Law Group, LLC. Our team is comprised of dedicated and highly experienced legal professionals who stand ready to ensure that you receive the most time-efficient and cost-effective resolution to your case. We understand that each case is unique and we will fully develop and implement a personalized legal strategy just for you.
If want to receive more information regarding mediation and how it may be right for you, contact a Columbia divorce lawyer from Columbia Family Law Group, LLC today!