Mediation

     What is Family Mediation?           

Family Mediation

Mediation is a softer, gentler approach to establishing a parenting agreement. In mediation, you and your child's other parent can work out the details of your co-parenting arrangement - taking into consideration the needs and best interest of your children.

WE OFFER VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND PHONE CONFERENCE MEDIATION SESSIONS

Why Choose Mediation?

You will make the decisions.  You, the individuals involved, are the ones who know your children and family best.

Mediation is much less expensive than an attorney.

Mediation can also help parents to resolve co-parenting differences more quickly.

                         WE OFFER VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND PHONE CONFERENCE MEDIATION SESSIONS                

Many U.S.States (including Illinois & Missouri) require that divorced and separating parents have a Parenting Plan/Agreement outlining how they will raise their child going forward. In mediation, you and your child's other parent can work out the details of your co-parenting arrangement - taking into consideration the needs and best interests of your children.

Individual States require that specific areas be covered in the parenting plan, however the most common provisions can be found below:

Mediation is NOT a substitute for the services of a qualified attorney.

Most Parenting Plans include:

  1. an allocation of significant decision-making responsibilities;
  2. provisions for the child's living arrangements and for each parent's parenting time;
  3. a mediation provision addressing any proposed reallocation of parenting time or regarding the terms of allocation of parental responsibilities, except that this provision is not required if one parent is allocated all significant decision-making responsibilities;
  4. each parent's right of access to medical, dental, and psychological records;
  5. a designation of the parent who will be denominated as the parent with the majority of parenting time;
  6. the child's residential address for school enrollment purposes only;
  7. each parent's residence address and phone number, and each parent's place of employment and employment address and phone number;
  8. a requirement that a parent changing his or her residence provide at least 60 days prior written notice of the change to any other parent under the parenting plan;
  9. provisions requiring each parent to notify the other of emergencies, health care, travel plans, or other significant child-related issues;
  10. transportation arrangements between the parents;
  11. provisions for communications, including electronic communications with the child during the other parent's parenting time;
  12. provisions for resolving issues arising from a parent's future relocation, if applicable;
  13. provisions for future modifications of the parenting plan, if specified events occur;
  14. provisions for the exercise of the right of first refusal, if so desired, that are consistent with the best interests of the minor child;
  15. any other provision that addresses the child's best interests or that will otherwise facilitate cooperation between the parents.

WE OFFER VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND PHONE CONFERENCE MEDIATION SESSIONS   EVENING, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

For more information, please email me at denise@familyjourney.net or by phone at (618)-844-1122

MEDIATION COST

The cost for mediation is 140.00 pr/hr (minimum of three hours required).  This fee includes:

  • One 3-hour mediation session
  • Preparation and drafting of Parenting Agreement
  • Up to 1 significant revision of the final agreement
  • All phone and email support

WE OFFER VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND PHONE CONFERENCE MEDIATION SESSIONS

Good to Know:

Participants typically share mediation fees, however individual courts may designate who pays for mediation. Mediation sessions can't be scheduled until required fees are paid.  Also, if your mediation has been mandated by the Court, a minimum number of hours may be required. 

You can check with your attorney or contact me at 618-844-1122, for additional information.

Not able to mediate in person?  Virtual mediation (video conference/phone conference call):

**allows scheduling flexibility - We can schedule sessions during non-traditional hours before/after work or during the kid's naptime.

**provides convenience - You can save the cost and time it takes to drive to a physical office.  We can conduct mediation sessions from anywhere:  work, home or in your car... anywhere you have access to a computer, tablet or phone and the internet.

** reduces stress:  Parents who find it difficult to be around their coparent, can (literally) maintain their distance, while working out their differences in a much more comfortable setting.

Mediation FAQ’s

Due to the COVID 19 virus, we're only offering virtual mediation sessions.  These include video-conferencing (ZOOM) and phone conferencing.  Virtual mediation has the added benefit of being fast, efficient and effective.  The scheduling is more flexible, there's no need to come in to an office and it eases tension between parent who are experiencing conflict because it allows them to keep a distance while working on their parenting plan.  

Well... the mediation process is the same.  The goal of reaching an agreement doesn't change.  By choosing to meet by video-conference/phone conference, were making mediation more possible.

It's easier to schedule because we can meet from your living room, work or car... wherever you can get to a computer or phone.  And, for parents who find it difficult to be near each other, mediating online or by conference call makes it possible to maintain their distance while working on their parenting plan.  

Our sessions will focus exclusively on issues related to the children, such as parenting time, parental responsibility and decision-making.  Both Illinois and Missouri require that specific areas be covered in the parenting plan.  To find out what your state requires, click here.

Our work together will focus exclusively on creating a parenting plan.  Most parenting plans can be completed in one 3-hr session.  This number will depend, however, on the complexity and types of issues the parents want to address, as well as the degree of conflict between parents and their willingness to come to a resolution. 

Because mediators cannot give legal advice, it’s recommended that you have any agreement reviewed by an attorney before signing.

One of the advantages of mediation is that it is confidential*. The emotional and perhaps embarrassing issues discussed will be kept private, as opposed to a trial where all of the proceedings are part of the public record. This is especially important when the mediation concerns children. *With few exceptions concerning the health and safety of parties involved.

Agreements reached during mediation are not binding until they are approved by the court.

It's easy to schedule an appointment by going to https://familyjourney.as.me/   At the site, we'll connect a little information.  Feel free to reach out to me at denise@familyjourney.net or 618-844-1122 if you need more information about how family mediation works.