Many mediations fail simply from a lack of preparedness. Sometimes being prepared means getting the input of objective professionals like accountants or child specialists before negotiations begin. 

Sometimes being prepared means having enough financial information to be able to take a sensible look at numbers before making decisions.

And then sometimes people don’t know what they need to know because they’ve never been confronted with the situation they’re in now.

Ultimately, parties benefit when each side has sufficient information upon which to make an informed decision during mediation. For both financial and child-related matters, a guided exchange of relevant information minimizes guesswork and ensures transparency.  The imbalance of power that occurs when one side is the ‘information holder’ and the other side is in the dark is minimized.

You will be asked to gather documents and provide information to be shared in advance of your mediation session. Our unique Mediation Plus+ process maximizes the likelihood of reaching a comprehensive and tailored agreement that suits your needs by minimizing guesswork.

For a more detailed explanation of our Mediation Plus+ services, contact us for a joint consultation.

Mediation is a requirement for original family law actions in Southwest Michigan. And even though mediation isn’t mandatory in post-judgment cases, probate/estate and civil actions, families may still choose mediation in these circumstances.

If you have been ordered to get mediation, regardless of whether you have an attorney, your mediator can be chosen from a list of court-approved mediators or you can choose your own. If Austin+Koffron has been appointed or court ordered to serve as mediator in your case, choose either Standard Mediation or Mediation Plus.

When one party is represented by an attorney and the other is not, it is important to select a skilled mediator who is able to keep their eye on the ball. The most effective mediation focuses on the individual’s needs rather than being influenced by the presence of one attorney.

When both parties are represented by attorneys, a resolution is more likely with a mediator who has a full understanding of the law and experience in crafting creative solutions.

The court will provide notice to Austin+Koffron to get the mediation process started or you may make the initial contact to our office, whether you have an attorney or not.

The court system is slow. You may end up waiting months for a simple decision to be made. And while you’re waiting, the problems and disagreements that you’re trying to work out can sometimes spiral out of control. This can be especially bad when children are involved.

With Austin+Koffron, you get professional management of your mediation. Many complications, conflicts and other problems are resolved before or immediately after they arise. You’ll be able to focus clearly on your long-term goals knowing that you’re moving quickly towards the best resolution possible.