Family Mediation

Family Mediation is a voluntary process outside of the court system, in which a couple can negotiate their separation in a safe environment where they can share their thoughts, feelings and concerns. It is a confidential and without prejudice process that allows the couple to exchange proposals, make offers, come up with interim solutions that will be manageable and liveable for both people and any children involved. The couple chooses what issues they want to focus on, whether it be parenting time and decision-making, property division, or support issues, or all of the above.

Mediation is held by a mediator. The mediator’s role, unlike that of a lawyer, is to create the safe environment and organize the mediation in a way that helps the couple address their legal issues. The mediator is neutral. They do not take sides and do not offer legal recommendations. They do provide legal information. But their job is to facilitate and works with the couple to help them determine their own solutions. After any tentative agreement is reached in mediation, the couple will have the opportunity to speak with their individual lawyers.

At Shinehoft Law we strongly recommend to clients attending mediation with us to seek independent legal advice or hire a lawyer. It is their lawyer who will review what was agreed to in mediation, give legal advice on what is best for you and ultimately finalize a separation agreement.

One of the benefits of mediation is that people can attend mediation with or without their lawyers present. This can be a big cost saving in some cases. Also, because the process is voluntary and the mediator is hired as a neutral facilitator by both spouses, the cost is shared.

Please feel free to reach out to Shinehoft Law if you are interested in finding out more about Family Mediation.