Divorce Mediation

What is Divorce Mediation?

 

Our mediators create a safe and neutral space for the parties to communicate openly and honestly. They ensure that both sides have an equal opportunity to be heard. The mediation process is confidential, however, there are some exceptions to confidentiality which include:

• threats of physical harm to persons and/or property;

• attempts to plan, commit or conceal a crime;

• issues of suspected child abuse/neglect;

• issues of suspected elder abuse/neglect.

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Steps in the Mediation Process:

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1. Attorney Information and Contact Information: RSCCM will need information about any attorneys involved in the case, as well as the contact information of each party.

2. Court Documents: Copies of any relevant court documents should be provided to RSCCM.

3. Contacting the Other Party: RSCCM will contact the other party to determine their willingness to participate in mediation.

4. Scheduling Mediation and Intake: •

• Each party will have an individual intake appointment to complete necessary paperwork, including: Asset/Debt/Parenting/Custody Questionnaire & Domestic Violence Screening.

• Intake appointments typically take 1-1.5 hours and must before the mediation session.

• A deposit will be collected at the time of intake.

• Emails will be sent to both parties to determine their availability for mediation dates. Once a date is determined confirmation letters will be sent via email.

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The intake process is confidential, and the information shared during the intake will not be disclosed to the other party. This confidentiality allows individuals to be open and honest about their concerns and needs, which can ultimately lead to more productive and successful mediation.​

 

Mediation Session:

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Our mediators do not provide recommendations or opinions to the court. Their role is to facilitate communication and help the parties reach their own agreement.

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If the mediation is court-ordered, the mediation center will send a status report to the court indicating the outcome: full agreement, partial agreement, or no agreement. We do not give any further information.

 

Agreement Submission:

• With an Attorney: If either party has an attorney, the attorney is responsible for submitting the agreement to the court for finalization.

• Without Attorney: If neither party has an attorney, the parties themselves are responsible for submitting the agreement to the court. The mediation center cannot do this on your behalf.

• Our center, staff, and the mediator cannot offer legal advice.

• ALL agreements signed through mediation are legally binding documents.

 

Fees for mediation:

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The fee for divorce and/or parenting mediation is on a sliding scale and based on several factors. If you'd like to know more about our fees, please contact us.

 

Mediation can be a proactive step, even before a formal court case begins. By addressing issues through mediation, individuals can often reach amicable agreements more efficiently and less stressfully than through traditional litigation.

 

If you haven’t filed for divorce or filed your parenting dispute with the court, that is okay. Many people work with our center to establish an agreement prior to filing.

 

If you have any further questions, please call RSCCM at 517-485-2274.