What is Divorce Mediation?

Mediation can offer several advantages for couples seeking a divorce in Arizona, including:

• Cost-effectiveness. Mediation is often less expensive than proceeding to court, as it can help avoid lengthy and costly litigation.
• Control. The parties to a divorce mediation have greater control over the outcome of their divorce, as they work together to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
• Confidentiality. Unlike court proceedings which are public, mediation is private and confidential.
• Flexibility. Mediation can be tailored to the needs of the parties and can address issues beyond legal matters, such as co-parenting.
• Timely Resolution. Mediation can often be completed more expeditiously than a court case, as no lengthy court proceedings nor trial dates are scheduled.

Mediation typically serves as a means to help couples achieve a more peaceful and less contentious divorce while also saving time and money. If you are interested in exploring alternative dispute resolution for your divorce, we invite you to call our office to schedule a consultation with an experienced Arizona mediation lawyer.

If both a petitioner and respondent in a dissolution (divorce) agree to submit their dispute to a mediator, the parties select a mediator and schedule a mediation at which the parties and their lawyers appear.  The court may also order parties to mediation if the court believes a mediator may assist the parties in reaching an agreement.

At the mediation, the mediator will listen to both parties and work with them and their counsel to facilitate reaching an agreement on contested issues, such as dividing assets and debts, child custody/support, and/or spousal maintenance.

If the mediation is successful, the mediator and counsel will prepare and submit to the court the necessary documents to finalize the dissolution.  If the mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may continue to trial. Ron Thomas has served as a mediator through the Maricopa County Superior Court and his years of experience mediating numerous cases will benefit you.

However, you must be careful in mediation. Some mediators will try to figure out which party is the “weaker” party, and apply pressure to settle the case. The mediator can make the weaker party believe he has a low chance of winning on one or more issues, even if that is not true, in order to increase the chance that a deal will be reached at mediation. Mediators usually track how many “successful” mediations they have completed. But success for them could be a bad outcome for you. Ron Thomas can easily detect when a mediator is applying too much pressure on a client, and will take steps to counteract that kind of inappropriate pressure.

The duration of divorce mediation in Arizona can vary depending on the complexity of the issues involved in the dissolution, the level of conflict between the parties, and the pace of the negotiations. In general, divorce mediation can be completed with a few sessions, which typically last between several  hours each.

Arizona courts may order one or more mediation sessions, although parties can agree to additional sessions if they choose. Some divorcing couples are able to reach a settlement in just one or two mediation sessions, while others may require more time.

It is vital to note that the length of mediation may also depend on the availability of the mediator and the parties involved. In some cases, scheduling conflicts may delay the mediation process. Because the length of divorce mediation in Arizona will depend on the unique circumstances of each case, it is best to consult with a qualified divorce mediation lawyer to discuss your specific situation and gain a better understanding of the timeline and process involved.

An Arizona divorce mediator is generally a lawyer or a retired judge.  He or she is neutral, which means the mediator does not represent the interests of the petitioner or respondent.  For that reason, mediation is not a substitute for legal advice. As such, it is critical for the parties to divorce mediation to secure legal representation.  As a Phoenix mediation attorney, I am able to provide that critical representation. I handled numerous mediations when I served as a family court mediator for the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Schedule A Consultation With An Experienced Phoenix Divorce Mediation Attorney Today.

Ending a marriage can be profoundly emotional, even if both spouses are willing to submit their dispute to mediation.  As a divorce lawyer, I can discuss the mediation process and how legal representation is crucial to a successful outcome. I can also provide you with the representation and support you need to achieve a successful result in mediating your dissolution.