If you are engaged in divorce, you may be battling your case in the traditional attorney-run court system. If this is your situation, but you yearn for a more civilized, less expensive method of settling your divorce matters, you can consider Mediation at any time in the process.
I see clients and settle cases at all stages of the separation and divorce process. For example:
- Mediation works well in cases where attorneys are never involved;
- Mediation works well in cases where attorneys are consulted prior to the mediation, but are not involved in the mediation process;
- Mediation works well when attorney services are utilized only for review of the draft Settlement Agreement; and
- Mediation works well when clients are deeply involved in litigation, but want to come up for air and try and settle their case in a more orderly, less contentious fashion.
Most clients don’t know that Virginia attorneys are required to advise their clients that there are alternative methods to resolve their disputes outside of litigation. (This mandate is pursuant to the Comment Section of Virginia Supreme Court Rule 1.2.) If your divorce attorney has not advised of you that there are Virginia Supreme Court Mediators ready to assist you with your divorce settlement needs, ask him or her if there is any reason why Mediation, or any other form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is not appropriate for your circumstances.
Certain situations merit consideration of “taking a break” from litigation. You may wish to consider Mediation if:
- Litigation is doing harm to your children.
- Litigation is causing emotional turmoil and an inability to focus.
- There is a need to feel that all “friendly” avenues were tried before either of you “pull the trigger” in court (and unleash a torrent of bad feelings that may last a lifetime);
- You think if would be a good idea to treat the property and debt issues completely separate from the child-related issues.
- You and your attorney no longer see eye to eye;
- There is one single issue that is holding up the entire settlement;
- Your attorney fees feel like the National Debt.
If you think Mediation is the way to go, give Robin Graine, JD, at Graine Mediation, a call: 571-220-1998. If you just want to learn more about Mediation, or if you want to discuss whether Mediation is right for your case, give Graine Mediation a call. Robin would be happy to answer you questions: 571-220-1998.
Posted by Robin Graine, JD, Virginia Supreme Court Certified Mediator
This blog and its materials have been prepared by Graine Mediation for informational purposes only and are not intended to be, are not, and should not be regarded as, legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Internet subscribers and online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
Fairfax VA Divorce Mediator 