Mediation Representation Offers Neutral Problem-Solving

Disentangling entire lives is never easy. Mediation gives you an alternative path to court involvement that shares costs and elevates your control over the outcome of your divorce. This allows for more creative problem-solving and better outcomes beyond the rigid confines of the court. 

Mediation agreements tend to be more durable because they are entered into by mutual choice, not imposed from the outside. This decreases court returns in future years. Especially if you have kids, mediation can help you better co-parent and communication far into the future.

In Washington, all cases must attempt mediation before they ever see the inside of a courtroom. 

Mediation representation typically happens after the period of discovery—when financial assets, debts, and other relevant information have been revealed and reviewed. Both lawyers then seek out a trusted, agreed-upon mediator. Trained for this designation, DuBois Levias can serve as mediation representation.

Before the representation session, both attorneys will put together solid proposals to share with the opposing party and mediator in advance. It’s important to do a risk analysis and develop legal arguments to firm up your angle.

A mediation typically lasts a full day. Sometimes more. Most mediations are a “shuttle” style mediation that separates the divorcing couple into different rooms. Increasingly, mediations are even being held on Zoom in breakout rooms.

Your lawyer may or may not be with you during a mediation. Mediators help bring people together to compromise in a neutral way, but don’t hold authority to make any definitive decision. If a mediation fails, a divorcing couple will sometimes hire a private arbitrator to make a ruling.