Mediation as an Alternative to Divorce Litigation
You may want to consider mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution if you are considering one of the following: to divorce or you may already a party to a marital dispute; to resolve your differences without the emotional and financial costs of litigation; or to avoid the bitterness and hostility that can often accompany divorce. In mediation, you and your spouse work together with a neutral professional to find solutions that are in everyone's best interests. You can use mediation to resolve issues and stay married, or use it as a way to amicably end your marriage.
When you opt for mediation, you want an experienced mediator who has successfully helped others through difficult divorce matters. At the Law Offices of Betty Ann Spencer, in Santa Rosa, California, I provide services in divorce mediation by working as a neutral professional to help you and your ex-spouse resolve your differences. Experienced and approachable, I offer a place where you and your children come first, and where you are free to experience the emotions involved in a family law matter while you work toward a mutually beneficial solution. To schedule a 30-minute consultation for $100, please contact my office or call me at (707) 570-2424.
Divorce with Integrity
In the mediation process, you and your spouse work with a neutral professional, a person who represents neither side, but whose goal is to help you come to mutually agreeable solutions. The mediator does not take testimony or rule on the admissibility or validity of evidence, and does not issue any kind of ruling or determination. You and your spouse make all decisions jointly. The mediator's role is to facilitate agreement, to help you identify ways to resolve your differences, and to help you understand the consequences of failing to find common ground.
At the Law Offices of Betty Ann Spencer, I am a trained divorce mediator. I was trained by the following professionals: Joan Kelly, Ph. D, who developed high conflict mediation in Marin County in the 1980s; and by Gary Friedman, a lawyer and mediator internationally known in family law mediation. I provide family law mediation services to help you "retool" your marriage by developing concrete solutions to issues that are negatively affecting your relationship. I also offer mediation to settle disputes involving child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support/alimony, or property issues.
When you hire me as your mediator, I will not provide legal advice to you, but I will work with you to find solutions that are in the best interests of you and your family. If you come to an agreement, I will help you put together a written contract stating the terms, which will be enforceable in court.
Divorce is often associated with depression, anger, bitterness, and grief. While divorce is an ending, it is also a new beginning. I find it personally and professionally rewarding to work with people who are willing to put energy into making their lives better, to focus on feeling more comfortable with themselves, to transform negative thoughts into positive energy, and to care about other people as well as themselves.
To schedule a 30-minute consultation for $100, please contact my office or call me at (707) 570-2424. I am available to meet with clients between 9:30 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. I accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
A Collaborative PlaceTM, where you and your children come first.
