Mediation

Columbus Mediation Attorneys

For couples who have decided to end their marriage, and who desire to be fair and reasonable, divorce mediation can save time and money, reduce stress, and provide other benefits.

The Mediation Process

With divorce mediation, the parties jointly meet with a mediator. At our law firm, the mediator is an experienced divorce lawyer. The mediator gives the parties relevant information about the law and legal procedures. The mediator does not give legal advice. The parties and the mediator jointly discuss issues and attempt to reach an agreement on all issues without litigation.

Save Time and Money

If both parties desire to reach a fair agreement, mediation may save significant time and money. It is almost always much less expensive to pay one mediator than to pay two lawyers. Negotiation and litigation can be very inefficient compared to mediation.

With negotiation, a proposal goes from the first client to the first lawyer, to the second lawyer, and finally to the second client. A response to the proposal is conveyed in the same inefficient manner.

With litigation, the process is even less efficient. After a lawsuit is filed, the court requires the parties to perform various tasks that take time, cost money, and do little to help the parties reach an agreement.

The mediation process, by efficiently providing legal information, allowing direct communication, and avoiding unnecessary tasks allows parties to save time and money, and reach a fair agreement.

Reduce Stress

Mediation can decrease stress now and in the future. Mediation reduces stress now by using a different process to resolve issues.

With mediation, the parties are “teammates” and work together to resolve their issues. With negotiation and litigation, the parties are “enemies” and fight against each other.

Mediation reduces stress in the future by avoiding court hearings and trials. Hearings and trials are almost always hostile and emotional. Each party is basically forced to say that the other party is wrong or lying about an issue. After a hard fought trial, it is very difficult for the parties to have a good relationship in the future. Too much damage has been done.

Increase Privacy

Mediation allows parties to keep private matters private. Mediation sessions occur in our law firm private offices. No spectators or reporters are present at mediation sessions.

Court hearings and trials occur in a public courtroom. Spectators (including family members, friends, and neighbors) as well as reporters are frequently present.

Improve Communication Skills

Mediation teaches parties how to resolve problems. In mediation, the parties: identify a problem; generate possible problem solutions; discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each solution; and select the solution that is best for the parties.

Negotiation and litigation do not teach parties how to resolve problems. Generally, with negotiation or litigation, each party vigorously takes a position and fights for his or her position. This process does nothing to help parties resolve problems in the future.

Role of Lawyers

While our law firm’s mediator is an experienced divorce lawyer, he cannot give legal advice to one or both parties. In mediation, a party can use a lawyer, or not use a lawyer. The decision is up to each party.

Frequently, after a tentative agreement is reached through mediation, a party will consult with a lawyer to ensure that the agreement is in the party’s best interest. This approach allows a party to obtain individual legal advice, and to minimize lawyer fees and expenses.

Contact Us

Please contact the attorneys at Dougherty, Hanneman and Snedaker for a confidential consultation with an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law regarding your family law issue. Attorneys Douglas Dougherty, James Hanneman and Robert “Chip” Snedaker are three of just ninety-nine attorneys (as of January 1, 2008) in the state of Ohio, who have earned the designation of Certified Specialist, Family Relations Law.