Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective clients can learn about mediation at a complimentary consultation. It is an opportunity to hear how the process works, ask questions and discuss goals. The parties will be able to review the mediation agreement. Clients can choose to sign the agreement at the initial meeting or take some time to decide if mediation is right for them.

Once the process begins, the parties meet with the mediator for a series of sessions, each generally lasting between 90 minutes and two hours – although that is flexible, based on the client’s needs. The number of sessions varies with each case.

At the first mediation session, the parties identify the issues they want to settle, along with their goals on each matter. The mediator gets the parties talking and offers creative solutions when needed. There’s no chance important details will be overlooked: We make sure the sides exchange documentation and other information critical to making decisions.

Mediation often reveals that the parties have the same goals and just need to formalize the details in an agreement.

The parties can bring the finalized agreement to an attorney, who can convert it into a legal contract. You won’t have to shop around: We can refer you to attorneys who are experienced in handling mediated agreements.

Mediation might take place outside a courtroom, but the law provides a framework for the entire process. In fact, more courts are requiring couples and other parties to go through mediation in an attempt to avoid litigation.

When the parties agree to terms, an attorney can review the agreement to ensure it will be the basis of an enforceable contract. Mediation allows you the freedom to craft a completely customized agreement within the boundaries of the law.

Yes, if you want to avoid a contentious court battle and negotiate the terms of your separation or divorce in a timely, cost-effective manner. Mediation is attractive on several fronts. Couples – not judges and lawyers – negotiate and personalize the terms of their settlement. The mediator keeps negotiations focused and productive. And since most people mediate without attorneys, couples avoid sky-high legal fees.

Remember: A courtroom setting is both austere and intimidating — not a great environment for crafting a creative agreement. Through mediation, both sides can discuss their goals creatively, without the ominous glare of courtroom lights. Courts also operate on their own schedule, not yours. Mediation sessions are arranged at your convenience, not the court’s.

Both sides must be able to talk freely to offer their points of view and understand all the information that is circulating. The mediator serves as a conductor so both sides know exactly what they are negotiating.

Absolutely not! In fact, it is often more beneficial if some of your issues are not yet settled. The reason is that, oftentimes, you “don’t know what you don’t know.” In my experience as a mediator, I have run across countless issues that may not fit neatly into a “one size fits all” resolution.

For example, your circumstances may require a more customized parenting plan than those that are suggested by the court. You may also need a creative solution to resolve certain financial issues, such as real estate ownership and family-owned businesses. By leaving some of these issues to decide during mediation, you may open up a world of possibilities that you did not even know existed.

That is perfectly fine! Many couples enter into divorce mediation without a totally clear view of their financial picture. During the mediation process, all issues and information is laid out on the table, including your finances.

You are in the right place! At AMS, our experienced mediator can enlist in-house experts (when necessary) to handle specific issues that may arise during your divorce. We provide professional guidance with highly specialized legal matters, giving our clients the skilled assistance needed to settle high net worth and otherwise complex divorces, all under one roof.

We have in-depth knowledge of the most complicated financial matters that may come up during a divorce. This includes, but is not limited to:

Divorce mediation has been known to save couples thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. It can also shave off several months (or years) of time from the process and save you untold amounts of emotional stress. How much each couple saves depends on their specific circumstances. In general, the more complicated your situation, the more money you can potentially save using divorce mediation. For example, couples with significant assets have been known to spend upwards of six figures or more through traditional divorce litigation. Mediation will cost you only a fraction of that amount

Absolutely! As previously mentioned, mediation gives you the opportunity to settle your divorce amicably, and it is impossible to put a price tag on the preservation of important family relationships. Aside from that, mediation gives divorcing spouses more control over the process and more flexibility to customize solutions that work best for them. Finally, unlike divorce litigation, the entire process is kept confidential, and everything discussed during mediation sessions is private and will never become part of the public court records.

This depends on the type of entity you formed and the state you are located in. Most states do not legally require operating agreements, but even if you are not required to have one, it is still highly recommended if you have at least one other business partner. An operating agreement can address important issues ahead of time such as ownership, contribution of each owner, distribution of the profits, decision-making, dispute resolution, and much more.

During mediation, we help clients navigate the components of the operating agreement. Business owner/partners may choose to bring in attorneys at any point in the mediation process. Once all the issues have been settled upon between the parties, an attorney may be needed to turn it into legally enforceable agreement.

We work with organizations of all types and sizes. We have several decades of experience in the corporate world, and we’ve specialized and excelled in negotiating highly complex contracts and agreements. We work with municipalities, schools, school districts, non-profits, private companies, professional partnerships, franchises, and any other type of entity.