Divorce Mediation

Atlanta, Georgia Divorce Mediation Attorney

If you are in Georgia, and you have filed for divorce, you will probably undergo mediation. In certain counties it is mandatory. As a family law attorney and mediator, I am a strong believer in alternative dispute resolution. ADR keeps family matters out of the court system. A divorce that does not involve going to court is less stressful, takes less time, and is more cost effective than a litigated divorce.

If you think that mediation might be right for you, contact me, Stephen Land, to find out more.

Divorce Settlement

Property division is central to any divorce agreement. If there are children involved, there will be child custody issues as well. You may also decide the issue of alimony, but alimony, even temporary maintenance, is relatively rare.

Mediation Facts

I believe that mediation is a better alternative to litigation. I can state with confidence that judges agree with this. It’s less stressful, less expensive, and usually quicker. Even if the couple is not on the best terms, mediation can still work. It helps if the people are willing to let go of their anger. If they do that, they can get down to the real issues and resolve them. Georgia is a no fault state in granting a divorce, but all issues with regard to fault are admissible, including, but not limited to, infidelity, child abuse, and the like. There are, of course, certain cases for which mediation may not be appropriate. Those would include cases involving serious domestic violence, taking the form of either spousal abuse or child abuse. Such issues may be dealt by criminal prosecution or the Georgia Domestic Violence Act.

Contact Stephen A. Land, LLC to speak to a lawyer about Atlanta, Georgia divorce mediation.

Divorce Mediation

In another part of this web page I have included a mediation agreement that some of the courts and many lawyers, including this one, require to be signed. That agreement contains some of the principles involved in mediation, but I think a few more words about this important subject are worthwhile.

If you are in Georgia, and you have filed for divorce, you will probably undergo mediation. In certain counties it is mandatory. As a family law attorney and mediator, I am a strong believer in alternative dispute resolution (ADR)and would like to explain why.

Mediation, both mandatory and voluntary, is a common way many disputes are resolved, and certainly not just in divorce cases. Complex anti-trust cases, labor/management disputes, even disagreements between governments are submitted to mediators. The reasons are fairly simple:

1. Mediation allows the parties to exercise some control over the decision to be made, rather than turning it over to a judge or panel of judges, or a jury. 2. Mediation is far less costly than litigation. Litigation usually involves a heavy requirement of expensive lawyer time, both in preparation and time spent in court. A court hearing also usually means witnesses, fees for witnesses (very expensive if for experts), and a lot of time wasted waiting around in court while a judge takes care of other business, recesses for a speaking engagement, and the like. The lawyer’s clock runs while all this is going on. 3. Mediation is infinitely less stressful than litigation. Litigation pits two parties against each other as plaintiff and defendant – enemies. The natural instinct for combat can easily overtake both the lawyers and their clients. This is probably more true of divorce cases than other types of disputes. 4. The whole spirit of mediation is an attempt to overcome the adversarial nature of litigation, to defuse anger and venom, and to seek a sensible solution.

Please bring in a signed copy of the Divorce Mediation Agreement when you visit our office or Call us at 877-307-7034 for immediate assistance today.