Five Crucial Questions to Ask a Potential Mediator:

1. Are you an attorney?
   No one other than attorney can ethically give you information on what the law is, calculate child or spousal support, or advise you on how a judge may decide your matter. Divorce is a legal proceeding, concluding with a binding legal contract. Ensuring that your mediator is a licensed attorney may help you avoid future problems with your agreement.
2. Have you had at least 40 hours of mediation training?
   Many attorneys believe that they can be mediators without having formal training. However, trained mediators know that mediation requires additional skills that lawyers generally do not have. Insist on a mediator who has received at least 40 hours of basic and advanced training.
3. Is mediation a substantial and ongoing part of your practice?
   Like any professional, from NBA player to IRS auditor, a mediator should be working regularly at their craft. Olympic athletes practice throughout the whole year to stay sharp - so should your mediator!
4. Do you work with expert co-mediators, and, if so, what is the charge?
   Even the most highly trained attorney-mediator cannot best advise you on tax consequences, retirement planning, or developmentally-appropriate parenting plans. For this reason, many mediators work with co-mediators who are experts in tax and finance, communication, or child development. You deserve to have these experts available to assist your mediation, and at no or little charge to you.
5. How much does mediation cost?
   Some mediators offer flat fees, but many more charge on an hourly basis. Hourly charges can mean that you won’t know the total cost of your mediation before you begin. Worse, if you run out of your “retainer” - or cash deposit - the mediation might stall until you can come up with additional funds. Look for a mediator who offers flat fees or, if hourly, who will provide a detailed cost analysis so that you may know what to expect before writing the check.

Why Mediation?

Private, confidential mediation provides an alternative to court that allows you to resolve your divorce, separation, custody, support and property disputes in a respectful, efficient and affordable manner. Attorney Erika Englund is a trained mediator, helping parties to identify their interests, address their conflict, and resolve their disputes without the hassle, stress, delay, and cost of a typical divorce. LEARN MORE>