Divorce Mediation
when you need help agreeing on children, support, dividing assets and debts.
Registered divorce mediators are specially trained, neutral third-parties approved by the state of Georgia to help settle divorce disputes.
Mediation works so well, most judges won’t hear your case until you’ve tried it.
Instead of paying lawyers to fight each other and then mediating, many couples now skip the expensive fight and mediate first.
Reasons to mediate
If you and your spouse can’t agree upon how to divide parenting time, assets or debts, or can’t agree on child support or alimony, mediation is a great way to save time and money so you can file a flat fee uncontested divorce, or end expensive litigation.
Attorney Mediator Julie Ernst has mediated thousands of Georgia divorces. She understand complex parenting and financial issues as well as hurt emotions that often accompany divorce.
Divorce mediation often allows couples to find creative solutions that work better than what a judge has authority or time to consider. Agreements address special situations and concerns unique to each family. With this flexibility, both spouses are more likely to get what they want.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. If you and your spouse disagree, other couples have likely had similar disagreements. Attorney Mediator Julie Ernst can provide examples of how other couples have reached agreement and help you brainstorm ideas that will work for you.
Mediation saves time, money and stress. A divorce that might take years and cost tens of thousands in attorney’s fees can be completed quickly, inexpensively and without painful conflict. When a marriage ends, family relationships often continue. It’s not necessary to rake someone over the coals or “hire a shark.” Better to wish each other well. And if you have children, establish a co-parenting relationship that benefits everyone.
“Mediation allows couples to do with a scalpel what a judge does with a hatchet.”
— Superior Court Judge
“On a good day, 80% of people leave the courtroom unhappy. With mediation, over 80% leave in agreement.”
— Same Superior Court Judge
How does mediation work?
With virtual mediation, you can settle the terms of your divorce without being in the same location as your spouse or the mediator. First we’ll set up a Zoom conference call you can access on your phone or laptop. If you need help, we’ll walk you through the technology.
At mediation, Attorney Mediator Julie Ernst explains the rules of mediation and listens to everyone’s concerns. She often meets privately with each side. Mediation is confidential.
She’ll help you work through disagreements, asking questions and making suggestions that work for others until there’s an acceptable resolution.
Sometimes the session ends so that each can consider options, gather information, review documents or get advice from financial experts, such as a CPA. Mediation resumes on a later date so that everyone is confident they have all the information needed to make informed decisions.
Agreement is voluntary and anyone can stop the mediation anytime. With 25 years’ experience mediating and representing divorce clients, Attorney Mediator Julie Ernst is extremely skilled at helping couples pinpoint the root of disagreement and finding ways both spouses can get their needs met.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment or find out more.