Divorce Mediation
How can we help you with family and Divorce
issues?
The process of mediation can hold many advantages for families,
specifically in those cases where children are involved.
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Mediation allows parents to focus on their children's needs as
the main consideration in decision making, and averts the need to
build a case against the spouse (which may cause hard feelings for
all family members).
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Communication through mediation can function as an excellent
foundation for the future co-parenting relationship.
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In the mediation process, parties have an opportunity to vent
their frustrations in a structured problem-solving environment.
Dealing with and getting past the frustration enables them to move
forward, find common ground and make necessary decisions.
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The Early Settlement mediation process is confidential by
statute, parties do not give up any right by participating, and the
parties have control over the outcome of their family
situation.
What is the Cost?
Program services are funded through the Court System to keep costs
to a minimum. Participants who have previously filed for divorce in
an Oklahoma District Court do not pay any additional fees for Early
Settlement Mediation. Otherwise, a statutory $5 fee is assessed to
each party.
How is the case filed?
Referrals may be made by a judge, attorney, community member, or
an individual may file for services themselves. In order to
initiate a case, Early Settlement will need contact information for
each party and their respective attorney as well as a brief
explanation of the situation.
What happens when a case is filed?
In a pending divorce or post decree modifications, the first step
after the referral of a case is to contact the parties and schedule
an intake screening. Once we have completed the screening with both
parties and confirmed that the situation is appropriate for
mediation, the first mediation session is typically scheduled
within 10 to 21 days.
NOTE: Family cases considered not appropriate
for mediation include those with a history or domestic violence,
mental illness, or active substance abuse.
Information to Attorneys from the Administrative Office of the
Courts
Attorney participation in the session(s) is optional. In
accordance with "Rule 10" of the Dispute Resolution Act, the role
of the attorney in the mediation process is to assist your client
in clarifying the issues and to provide them with legal advice and
insight. Attorneys cannot interrogate the opposing party during
mediation. If you should choose not to participate in the session
with a client, your role is to be available during, between and/or
after the session(s) for consultation with your client.
Early Settlement family mediators facilitate the mediation
process in order to reach a written "memorandum of understanding"
on part or all of the disputed issues involved in the divorce or
family matter. Early Settlement family mediators do not give legal
advice. After an understanding is reached, parties are asked to
have their respective legal counsel review the memorandum and
prepare it in the proper form for presenting to the court. Early
Settlement family mediators do not prepare formal court
documents.
Early Settlement mediation is not meant to replace qualified
legal representation. It is our hope, as well as that of the
Oklahoma Supreme Court, that your future experience and view of
Early Settlement family mediation will be as a complementary
professional service to the legal profession and our judicial
system.
