Mediation is an Option in Minnesota Divorce

Twin Cities Family Law Mediator

Do you want to resolve divorce and family law issues without the hassle and stress of court? You can resolve many issues amicably in mediation with the help of a certified family law mediator.

I'm attorney Michael Black, a lawyer with more than 31 years experience in divorce and family law. As a mediator, I act as a neutral facilitator, helping the parties reach agreement on issues of marital property division, spousal and child support, and child custody and visitation arrangements. I facilitate the exchange of information necessary for them to make decisions and find solutions.

The Mediation Process

I usually schedule three hour-long mediation sessions. This allows enough time to fully discuss the issues without being so long that people become fatigued.

After each session, I write a letter to both parties and their attorneys summarizing the discussion, the areas of agreement, and the issues remaining to be resolved. I list the information to be exchanged by the parties and set a time for the next session. I also provide any necessary property settlement spreadsheets, child support calculations and income tax analysis reports.

The summary letter records the progress and provides a starting point for the next session. It also keeps all attorneys working on the case in the loop so clients can seek feedback and legal advice before their next session.

The end result of the process is a written agreement that recites the terms of the settlement in detail. The agreement will follow the same format as a marital termination agreement, so it can easily be converted into a binding court order. Most parties will have me forward the agreement to their attorneys so that it can be used as a basis for the final court order or decree.

Many times, the parties will ask me to file the final legal paperwork with the court at the end of the mediation. I cannot do so. As a neutral mediator, I cannot serve as an attorney for one of the parties.

Do You Need a Lawyer During Mediation?

Both parties in the divorce mediation are encouraged to have a lawyer during the process. Sometimes, the attorneys will attend the mediation conferences with their clients. While this can be expensive, it often helps resolve things faster. Most mediation sessions are done face-to-face with both parties in my conference room. Additional rooms are available for meeting with the parties separately.

Contact My Office

To learn more about the mediation process and the services I offer, contact my law office in St. Paul, Minnesota.