How Mediation Works

I

will meet with you in confidential, closed sessions. A mediator acts as a neutral third party whose role is to help you reach a settlement of your legal issues by providing legal information, directing and overseeing the exchange of financial and other disclosures, guiding your discussions, offering and exploring settlement alternatives and resolving conflicts.

With the guidance and assistance of your mediator, you take control of the process. BOTH parties take control of the process, establishing themselves in equal positions of strength and power. The parties work together from these positive positions in order to arrive at a fair and realistic agreement as to the terms upon which the marriage shall be terminated. This cooperative effort creates and reinforces an outlook that fosters each party's confidence and ability to move forward in life. It enables both parties to fully voice their positions and concerns in an atmosphere of respect.

At the conclusion of the process, the parties arrive at a mutually acceptable Marital Separation Agreement (MSA). The MSA outlines and details the terms of your dissolution - including property division, child support and/or spousal support and child custody/visitation arrangements. The MSA is incorporated into the formal Dissolution Decree.

Advantages of Mediation Over Traditional Forms of Litigation

1. The parties maintain control over how long the process takes and what is included in the Marital Separation Agreement (MSA). Each step is by agreement, as opposed to ordered by a Court.

2. Reduces the emotional trauma of an adversarial divorce.

3. Keeps focus on long-term resolution of conflicts in contrast to the polarization and hostility that often result from Court proceedings.

4. Less expensive, so the family's financial resources can be directed towards recovery.

5. Minimizes the adverse impact upon the children by taking the pressure away from blame and gearing it towards helping the parties reestablish a healthy and productive plan of co-parenting.

6. Allows for creative and unique solutions designed for your particular set of emotional, financial and practical circumstances.

7. Assists the parties with children in transitioning from marital partners to parenting partners.

8. Allows for the development of a co-parenting plan that is individually structured to really be in the best interests of the children.

9. Allows the parties to obtain legal information from a neutral, non-adversarial attorney who can present the law in a clear and unbiased manner to the benefit of both.

10. Establishes and fosters a level of communication and cooperation between the parties which makes future conflicts less likely.

11. Does not require any Court appearances.

12. Is conducted in an informal, comfortable atmosphere as opposed to formal Court proceedings.

13. Allows the parties to move at a mutually agreeable pace, usually taking a fraction of the time involved in traditional Court proceedings.

14. Negotiations remain confidential and private rather than part of the public record as in Court proceedings.

15. Pay only one attorney and reduce the time you spend on your negotiations by dealing directly with your spouse instead of communicating through counsel (which is costly and very time consuming.)

16. Reduces the need for extraneous motions because matters can be addressed and worked out personally, rather than the elongated process of taking them to Court to work out .
    

Call today to reach a quick amiable resolution in your divorce proceedings
916-933-4410
805- 343-1100 (San Louis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties)

As an attorney, counselor, and marital mediator, Colleen M Quinn provides solid, compassionate, intelligent mediation for the benefit of both parties.

Preparing for Settlement

How mediation works

The advantages of mediation over traditional forms of litigation

How our sessions work

My personal perspective

Pre/post marital agreements

Legal documentation that I will prepare for you.

Expert Consultation

Colleen M Quinn practices law throughout the state of California. Her primary practice serves Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo and Amador Counties