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Please call (602) 387-5323 if you have any other questions.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a confidential, collaborative conflict resolution process. Ms. Pallin-Hill assists the parties in defining and clarifying the issues to enable them to reach agreements. Although she is an attorney and a former judicial officer, she does not give legal advice, make decisions or choose sides. Rather, she facilitates discussion between the parties to help resolve misunderstandings so the parties can focus on solutions.
What types of issues can be resolved?
Mediation can be used to resolve any type of dispute. Before separation, the parties can meet with the mediator to discuss living arrangements, the parenting time for the children, child support, spousal maintenance, division of property and debt. If disputes arise after the divorce is final, Ms. Pallin-Hill can assist them in resolving those disputes without incurring the stress and expense of returning to court.
How does mediation work?
Mediation is a joint effort; both parties must agree to participate. Ms. Pallin-Hill facilitates communication so that each party is given the opportunity to be heard. Because the setting is non-adversarial, emotions are defused and the parties can focus on the real issues. The parties speak for themselves, can air their differences and create innovative decisions regarding outcome.
Ms. Pallin-Hill also helps parents focus on the needs of their children and encourages them to develop a cooperative parenting relationship so they can make decisions based on the children’s best interest.
Anger, hostility and competition between parents are minimized so that parties can better adjust to the new family dynamic that separation and divorce creates.
Do I need an attorney if we've agreed to mediation?
Yes, an attorney should review and sign all agreements. Mediation is not a substitute for legal advice. Ms. Pallin-Hill remains neutral throughout the process. Attorneys act as independent counsel, will advise their clients about the legal consequences of their agreements and will file the required documents with the court. Ms. Pallin-Hill has a list of “mediation-friendly” attorneys who can assist. Parties should also get advice from a tax professional about the tax consequences of their agreements.
What does it cost?
Ms. Pallin-Hill charges by the hour. Fees are based on a sliding scale - call for exact quotes. Parties pay for two to three hour conferences in advance. In simple cases without children, parties usually resolve their case in two sessions. Cases in which there are custody and parenting time issues or in which valuations for business or property interests must take place will take longer.
Where and when can the conferences take place?
All conferences take place at Ms. Pallin-Hill’s office which is centrally located at 24th Street and Camelback Road. The sessions can be joint, or if the parties prefer to be separated, Ms. Pallin-Hill can shuttle back and forth between them until agreements are reached. Conferences can be scheduled over the lunch hour or early evenings to accommodate work schedules. Ms. Pallin-Hill is also available one weekend per month.
How Do I Get Started?
To learn more about what options are available to you in your particular situation, please use our simple email form and Leah Pallin-Hill will contact you shortly with an answer to your questions. If you need to speak Leah directly about a sensitive issue, please call (620) 387-5323.
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