Under the best of circumstances, divorce is a stressful process. When couples litigate issues before a judge, the emotional toll and the expense increase exponentially. Fortunately, there are ways to simplify your divorce and reduce costs, while still achieving your goals for your future. For many couples, mediation is a useful tool for removing impediments to a settlement on important issues, such as child custody, child support, spousal support and the division of marital property. At the Law Office of Meredith R. Callan, I have the knowledge and skill to represent clients in the Lakewood area and throughout Colorado in divorce mediation. I provide advice to clients involved in the mediation process so they can achieve a mutually acceptable, cost-effective resolution of their divorce issues.
Courts may require divorcing couples to engage in mediation. Whether it’s required or voluntary, however, mediation involves an impartial third party, the mediator, who meets with the spouses to work out a voluntary agreement but does not represent either party or advocate for their concerns. Over the course of several sessions, the mediator listens to the spouses, assesses the issues before them, and tries to guide them toward a mutually acceptable resolution but cannot impose an agreement on the couple: they need to reach a consensus.
I represent clients in mediation by gathering and producing information to be used, advocating for them during the process, and preparing and reviewing the settlement agreement that emerges. If mediation fails, I will represent you in litigation of any unresolved issues.
A divorce mediator’s goal is to guide parties toward consensus on issues such as child custody and support, spousal support, and property division, among others. There are many benefits to mediation:
Perhaps foremost, mediation allows you to control how your divorce proceeds rather than leaving decisions up to a judge. As an experienced divorce attorney, I can offer the advice and counsel you deserve when you choose this alternative method of resolution.
Before you consider mediation, you should speak with an attorney who has represented clients in this process. Mediators are not allowed to dispense legal advice, and, in fact, many divorce mediators throughout the country are not even attorneys so they might not fully understand the legal implications of a proposed settlement. At the Law Office of Meredith R. Callan, I help to ensure that you are fully prepared for your mediation sessions. I review your progress, carefully scrutinize all proposed agreements and draft counter proposals that protect your rights.
Mediation can speed your divorce process, reduce your stress and control costs. The Law Office of Meredith R. Callan helps clients throughout Colorado realize the full benefits of mediation. To schedule a consultation, call me at 720-636-0696 or contact my Colorado office online.