How Mediation Works
The Process:
As a mediator, my role is to guide you through the steps described below and help facilitate a productive discussion that can lead to resolution.
- Determine the Right Process. We start with a discussion to help you better understand how mediation works and how it compares to collaborative law and to litigation in order for you determine if mediation is right for you.
- Gather Information and Identify Issues. If you agree to proceed, we gather information about your situation and identify decisions you have already made and issues that remain. I can help to make you aware of the topics that need to be addressed.
- Discuss Issues. We then discuss the open issues, working to identify and understand each of your needs and interests. Having a better understanding of each party’s needs clears the way to creative solutions.
- Identify and Evaluate Options. With a full understanding of everyone’s interests, we brainstorm options and then evaluate to see which best meet your needs.
- Make Decisions. Once we have explored all of the possible options, you are then in a position to make decisions that are the best solutions for your situation.
- Formalize Agreement. If you desire, I can draft a legal and binding agreement to reflect the decisions you have made. In a divorce case, the signed agreement can be used as the basis for filing divorce papers.