Compassionate Springfield Family Law Mediator
Family law matters can disrupt our daily lives and relationships in ways that we could never expect. These types of legal issues often result in nasty disputes and fractured relationships that can hurt for a long time. Emotions run high and may cause you to make decisions that aren’t in your or your family’s best interests.
However, mediation is a way to minimize conflicts and prioritize problem-solving more effectively. At Leahy Cox, LLP, attorney Patrick Melendy is a certified family law mediator who has the knowledge and skill to help Oregon families resolve their legal issues through cooperation and communication.
How Does Mediation Work?
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that allows two or more parties to resolve their dispute with the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator. In family law cases, mediation may be used to resolve divorces and issues regarding child custody, child support, alimony and more.
Mediation allows you (and your attorney) to negotiate with the other party (and their attorney) to achieve a satisfactory agreement on your dispute. The mediator functions as an impartial participant who facilitates productive discussion between both sides without favoring one over the other.
A mediator may also:
- Clarify legal concerns
- Identify problems and offer solutions
- Maintain civility between the parties
- Keep the discussion on track to minimize conflict and promote reaching an agreement
- Finalize the terms of the agreement
Attorney Melendy has a mediation certificate from the Center for Dialogue and Resolution. As a certified family law mediator, he understands the mediation process extremely well and is often hired by attorneys representing spouses in divorce cases. He takes on the role of the mediator and helps to facilitate a resolution between you and the other party.
The Benefits Of Family Law Mediation
Mediation offers many benefits over traditional family law resolutions, which often take place in court. Here are some of the most common advantages:
- Mediation is more cost-effective: Going to trial is often very expensive and can sometimes take years to resolve. Mediation, on the other hand, allows for parties to settle their disputes much more efficiently, which means you’re not spending as much time or money on the process.
- Mediation is more confidential: Trials are public records, meaning your private details can be exposed during the proceedings. Mediation, however, is entirely private so you can discuss sensitive topics without fear of who may discover them.
- Mediation offers more control: When you go to trial, the judge determines the final decision on any issue. Instead, if you decide to use mediation, you and the other party have control over the outcome, as the negotiation and final settlement agreement are up to you.
- Mediation helps preserve relationships: In many family law cases, you may want to maintain a working relationship with the other party because of co-parenting or other reasons. As mediation prioritizes communication and minimizes conflicts, it often helps people preserve these relationships, whereas traditional litigation tends to break them.
Mediation may not work for everyone. Both parties must agree to the process before it begins, but if you’re unable to reach a final agreement, then the process dissolves and you or the other party are free to file a lawsuit instead. However, if you’re committed to mediation, you may be able to resolve your case within a matter of weeks and walk away feeling much more confident about your situation and your future.
Schedule A Consultation With Our Family Law Mediator Today
If you are interested in resolving your family law issue through mediation, contact our Springfield firm today to learn more about how we can help. Call 541-357-9903 to schedule a consultation or send us an email online at your convenience.
