Family Law

Mediation

The simplest and most cost effective method for resolving issues in a divorce is through mediation.  The goal in mediation is to develop solutions that meet as many of the needs of the parties as possible.  The mediation process involves hiring a neutral third party facilitator who helps parties reach a settlement outside of the Court.  Parties may attend mediation with or without an attorney. Parties may also hire an advisory attorney on an unbundled legal basis to educate them about the law, the mediation process, and the Court process. Mediation helps to provide parties with a structure for addressing the issues that must be resolved in their divorce. The mediation process focuses on providing parties with tools to reach rational and cooperative resolutions to their problems. The main issues that parties need to resolve in divorce are financial support, division of assets and debts, and allocation of parental responsibility (decision-making authority and parenting time). 

Many courts routinely require divorcing parties to participate in mediation before turn to the Court to make decisions for them. 

Advantages of Mediation:

• It is less costly both financially and emotionally
• Promotes a mutual win-win objective for both parties
• Parties rather than the Court make decisions on resolution
• The process is confidential
• Aids the parties in working cooperatively and constructively at the present and in the future
• Teaches parties to be able to work together to co-parent their children during and after divorce
• The divorce can be conducted amicably
• Experienced, knowledgeable family law attorneys
• The client has his or her own advocate

Mediation is not appropriate for everyone. However, it is likely to be effective if both parties recognize the importance of cultivating a cooperative post-divorce relationship and want to reach a fair agreement

Resources

• American Arbitration Association

• Metro Denver Interdisciplinary Committee

• Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations

• Colorado Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Directory

• Manual on Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Office of Dispute Resolution

Recommended Mediators

• Nan Burnett, 303-273-0459

• Christine Coates, 303-443-8524

• Michael DiManna, 303-320-4848

• Terri Harrington, 303-831-0808

• Beth Henson, 303-346-3700

• Lawrence King, 303-657-9599

• Joan McWilliams, 303-830-0171

• Beverly Nelson, 303-554-7030

• Dick Rotole, 303-399-1600

• Barbara Salomon, 303-947-1117

• Helen Shreves, 303-777-7833

• Kevin Sidel, 303-646-3422

• Arnie Swartz, 303-237-4828