Member of Oregon State Bar Since 1981
Covid 19 Notice: we are meeting with clients by telephone, email and Zoom conference during the pandemic. I am still offering full mediation and arbitration service through Zoom.com. Contact me if you have questions. Stay well.
I currently offer mediation, arbitration and attorney services. My family law practice is limited to unbundled services.
During the pandemic courts have had to severely restrict their services to the public. Trials and some other hearings in family law cases are not currently being held in Oregon courts. We have no idea when these trials will again be held although it is safe to assume it will be months away. You can get your case resolved now through mediation or arbitration. Contact me if you have questions about getting your case resolved quickly.
Mediation is a voluntary process where parties meet with an experienced mediator to resolve disagreement and reach consensus. Mediation is used wherever conflict arises: divorce, child custody and parenting time disputes, business disputes, estate disputes, etc. Attorneys are usually not directly involved in mediation. It is a process between the parties.
Mediators help people in conflict resolve their disagreements. It is a voluntary process. Mediators do not give legal advice. They do not decide cases or disputes. They help people resolve their disputes together. Mediation is confidential. It is an alternative dispute resolution process that can avoid the rancor and expense of court battles. Some advantages of mediation over litigation:
1. Mediation is usually much less expensive than litigation.
2. In Mediation the parties work together to reach a decision which creates a more positive atmosphere for implementing the agreement over time.
3. Mediated agreements are especially good for children who do not do well with battling parents in long drawn out custody battles.
4. The parties retain some control over the outcome of a mediated agreement. While they must be willing to compromise they can set certain limits on what they are willing to agree to. When people go to court they lose all control over the outcome - it is completely up to the judge.
Arbitration is a conflict resolution process where the parties present evidence to the arbitrator and make arguments for how they believe the conflict should be resolved. The arbitrator then makes a decision, usually called an award, which resolves the conflict. An arbitrator is like a private judge. Arbitration is less formal than a court trial and usually far less expensive. It can usually be done sooner and much more quickly than the formal court process. If the parties have attorneys the attorneys usually participate in arbitration.
Attorney Services: My family law practice is now limited to Unbundled Services.
Unbundled Services: this is a limited service option and has a much lower cost. I review forms with you or prepare forms for you and provide legal advice but I do not formally represent you, do not communicate with opposing counsel or others for you and do not appear in court with you.
If you have questions about attorney representation, arbitration or mediation feel free to contact me on the Contact page.
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