About Mediation

My role as your mediator is to create a safe environment in which communication about the relevant issues can take place and to assist you with gathering whatever information is necessary to resolve the issue at hand.

My goal is to help you thoroughly explore and analyze the information and facilitate an effective negotiation. In this way, differences between the parties in skills, information, and abilities will not interfere with both parties coming to successful outcomes. My mediation style is facilitating; you will maintain control of decisions related to parenting your children and negotiating what is best for all members of your family.

Ideally, mediation can begin a process of lowering conflict, learning ways to effectively communicate and negotiate, clarifying interests and priorities that can continue to serve parents after the divorce as you continue to raise your children.

• The pace of the mediation and the content of the issues are decided with input from both parties. It is important that together we evaluate the progress toward your mediation goals.
• Either party involved in the mediation is free to seek independent counsel, a second opinion, or expert information at any point during the mediation process.
• An outcome can only be reached with the agreement of both parties. This insures that you will only complete mediation with an outcome that is acceptable to you.

When a mediation agreement is reached, I will provide both parties with a written plan that can be shared with your attorney(s) and used to complete any necessary paperwork for the court. If needed, I can also make referrals for further assessments, child custody evaluation, and/or other professionals that may be needed to further assist you in the process.

If you try mediation and decide that it does not meet your needs, you can opt for a more traditional, adversarial approach involving attorneys and litigation at any time.

I encourage you to visit the Oregon Family Law Parenting Plan Information site for helpful guides and materials designed to help parents create a joint parenting plan.

For other useful resources please see these additional links.