What is mediation and do you need it?
Mediation defined
Mediation is when two parties involved in a dispute work directly with a third, neutral party (a mediator) to come to an agreement over the terms for which they disagree.
It is often considered by most legal professionals as one of the most successful and economical methods to develop terms associated with the divorce decree (Judgement of the Dissolution of Marriage).
How does Mediation relate to Alternative Dispute Resolution?
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides several methods, other than litigation, to arrive at a Separation Agreement, Parenting Plan/Custody Agreement and/or Divorce Settlement Agreement.
Divorce Mediation is one form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Primary benefits of Divorce and Family Law Mediation
- Potential to save money
- No waiting on a court docket for a judge to hear your case (the wait may be 6 months or more)
- Courts order mandatory mediation (state specific)
- Typically, less adversarial approach to reach a settlement and with a better outcome for both parties
- Can begin the groundwork towards a new "co-parenting" relationship, when applicable
What is a typical mediation like?
In most cases, a mediator will lead the mediation where both spouses are together in the same room. Our mediator utilizes proprietary, dispute resolution protocols to assist the couple in resolving the dispute associated with the terms of their agreement. Attorneys are welcome, but not required.
Our goal is to provide a comfortable, safe environment where the mediator assists both spouses in their decision making. Most appointments are in 3-hour sessions, but longer sessions and Power Guide Sessions (8-hrs) can be prescheduled, as needed.
The mediation is continually paced according to the couple's unique set of circumstances and relationship.
Each mediation includes comfort amenities, numerous breaks, snacks, and drinks. Catered box lunches are provided for all-day mediations (Power Guide Sessions).
We strive to provide locations in numerous areas of the counties we serve.
What makes us different?
We require each local mediator to adhere to the Divorce Centers' Principals of Mediation with the utmost of confidentiality, compassion, and good faith.
What makes our mediators different?
While we pride ourselves on our dispute resolution procedures to save our client's money and time, we place great trust in the qualifications of each local, DC mediator to deviate from our procedural methodology in circumstances where both parties would mutually benefit and where the basis for the principals of mediation are never violated.
We understand that there are never two couples with the same divorce. By giving our mediators the opportunity to manage, in its entirety, each mediation session, we feel confident our clients will have the best of both values.
We aim to provide a systematic approach managed by an experienced, empathetic, and educated professional.
Divorce Modification Disputes
Saint Louis Divorce Center also provides mediation for disputes involving divorce modifications (based on mediator availability). In cases where a DCM (Divorce Center Mediator) is not available, clients will be offered services provided by local mediators affiliated with the Divorce Centers' Professional Network, upon request.