Family law cases such as divorce and child custody can be emotionally charged. Business deals can have millions of dollars at stake. A loved one passing away with or without a will can lead to disputes. While a drawn-out court proceeding may seem inevitable in your situation, Granholm & Gynac in Joliet, Illinois provides another option – neutral, third-party mediation services for:
- Divorce, including dividing both assets and debts
- Child custody, visitation and support payments
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Contested wills, trusts and powers of attorney
- Business contracts and breaches
By allowing our firm to assist all sides with mediation, you can potentially avoid the time-consuming and costly approach of traditional litigation. Our experienced attorneys will help all parties communicate their needs and positions clearly, as well as negotiate fairly and come to mutually beneficial agreements. We’ll steer the conversation and guide you in approaching matters rationally instead of emotionally.
Mediation is a voluntary process and outcomes are not legally binding unless the parties take steps afterward to cement what they have agreed to, such as by entry an agreed court order. One advantage of family court mediation is that it allows the parties to determine what would work best for them, as opposed to leaving it up to a judge to make decisions that may dramatically impact their personal lives.
The Basic Steps of Mediation
In your first session with our firm, we’ll discuss the big picture and get a general sense of where all sides stand. Our attorneys will then explain what you can expect from the process and answer any questions you might have. Moving forward, we’ll ask each party to bring in pertinent documentation and present their side of the matter. We can discuss all legal obligations and responsibilities but will strive to remain neutral throughout.
After everyone has expressed their wants or needs, and we’ve identified areas of disagreement, we’ll assist you in negotiations and recommend areas where a compromise might be possible. Solutions for your specific circumstances can be creative and personalized to work best for all those involved.
Once we’ve worked through all points of contention, a tentative agreement can be drafted for you to review. You also have the right to have your own attorney look over the agreement prior to signing. If further negotiations are not needed, all forms can be submitted to the court for approval when entry of such orders is appropriate.