There is a better way to separate or divorce without destroying your children, yourself, your spouse, and your finances through an unpredictable and inherently contentious court process . Few families that go to war in divorce court emerge without everyone suffering painful wounds and scars. Mediation is quicker, less expensive, and less stressful than litigation. Mediation can be best understood as facilitated communications toward an agreement. In mediation, the participants themselves, with the mediator's impartial assistance, resolve their own dispute. All mediation proceedings are private and confidential. Neither person has to agree to any solutions proposed by the mediator. If the parties are able to reach agreement on some or all of the issues, a written summary of that agreement is usually reviewed by lawyers for each party.

Divorce Mediation:
•  Benefits the entire family by reducing conflict
•  Avoids the high costs and lengthy delays of litigation
•  Promotes communication and cooperation
•  Allows you to control the decisions that affect your life
•  Is confidential and private
•  Has a high satisfaction and compliance rate
•  Encourages future cooperation on important family and financial issues

I have been a mediator since 1996. I have been a coach for divorce mediation training at Southern Oregon University and participated in numerous mediation trainings. As a divorce attorney, I have seen first hand how the litigation process hardens positions, reduces communication, increases animosity, and produces unpredictable or arbitrary outcomes. Even if you are not able to settle all issues in your divorce, you will be better off the more issues you can come to agreement on.

Mediators do not provide legal advice or advocate for one party or the other. As an Attorney-Mediator, I may identify legal issues, help the parties formulate questions for their own attorneys, and suggest that the parties get independent legal advice on those issues. I may assist in the parties in writing up an agreement and filing the agreement with the court to finalize the divorce, but cannot represent either party in court if there is no agreement. Obtaining independent legal advice from your own attorney is strongly recommended before signing any final agreement.