Electing a cooperative and transparent approach will make a difference in your life, your finances, and your future relationship with one another.
NON-ATTORNEY FAMILY LAW MEDIATION
Mediation Optimizes Options.
Mediation offers creative, customized solutions that litigation often cannot provide — and it does so at a significantly lower emotional and financial cost. It fosters cooperation between parties, allowing each person to have direct input in shaping agreements that address the needs and interests of both sides.
In more complex cases, attorneys, therapists, or experts may participate in the mediation process, while in simpler cases, mediation can allow parties who already understand their assets and goals to resolve matters efficiently without the need for court appearances.
Aiming for Mutually Beneficial Outcomes.
Mediation is not bound by the rigid frameworks often seen in litigation, such as strict 50/50 custody splits or mathematical asset divisions. Instead, it allows for thoughtful trade-offs, tailored to your unique circumstances — including work schedules, parenting needs, and future goals.
Unlike litigation, which often fuels conflict, mediation encourages direct communication, fostering clarity and collaboration to achieve agreements that truly work for both parties.
Why Mediation Over Litigation?
Litigation can be financially and emotionally draining, with family law trials often costing anywhere from $10,000 to over $100,000. When litigation consumes resources, it diminishes the very assets that could support your family's next chapter. While trials are sometimes necessary, they should remain the exception — not the rule.
Mediation preserves resources, promotes creative problem-solving, and helps parties maintain greater control over the outcome.
Experience You Can Trust.
With decades of experience as a Senior Family Law Litigation Paralegal, I have drafted thousands of legal documents and agreements, gaining a deep understanding of family law procedures and the clear boundary between providing information and giving legal advice.
Throughout the mediation process, I always encourage clients to consult with attorneys when they need legal advice about their rights and obligations. I am also well-connected with experienced attorneys and professionals to provide trusted referrals whenever necessary.
In addition to mediation services, I assist with preparing all the necessary documentation to initiate, manage, and complete your family law matter — ensuring that deadlines are met and court filings are accurate. My early career experience as a Family Law Superior Court Filing Clerk adds another layer of precision and efficiency to every case.
Gold Standard Mediation Training.
I received my mediation training through the Center for Understanding in Conflict — widely regarded as the gold standard in mediation education. The Understanding-Based Mediation Model emphasizes supporting parties through conflict with respect, empathy, and clarity.
Key principles of this approach include:
Maintaining positive neutrality to support each party without taking sides
Developing creative solutions that meet differing needs, interests, and goals
Using the "Loop of Understanding" model to enhance communication and build shared understanding
Helping parties lay the groundwork for effective, lasting decisions — now and into the future
