Attorney Todd Dwire speaking with staff member in conference room

We See The Big Picture In Family Law

Divorce Mediation – An Alternative To Letting The Judge Decide

Mediation is a process that lets both parties and their attorneys sit down with a neutral mediator to work out an agreement that is as satisfactory as possible to both sides. Coming up with your own solutions on how to divide property and assets, time with your children and other legal issues gives you more control over what happens after the divorce is finalized. Even if you and your spouse are unable to agree on everything, the more the two of you can work out for yourselves, the better it will be for everyone involved.

As a certified mediator and the principal lawyer of Dwire Law Offices, in Lakeville, Minnesota, Todd Dwire uses divorce mediation to help our clients and their spouses come up with suitable arrangements to separate their lives and share time with their children. We find that mediation is the most cost-effective method of reaching an agreement for our clients’ final divorce decrees.

Is Mediation Required In Minnesota Divorces?

Mediation, or some form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is required if the parties have not already come to an agreement prior to the initial case management conference (ICMC). We strongly recommend having our attorney attend the mediation session with you to answer any questions you may have and to represent your best interests during the mediation. Mediation is a very useful tool for resolving differences and coming to a compromise, but it is not a substitute for having legal representation.

Is Mediation Binding?

Divorce mediation can be binding if you and your spouse sign a mediation memorandum to be submitted to the court. If you do not sign this memorandum, the mediation remains confidential and terms and proposals discussed in mediation cannot be submitted to the judge.

What Are The Advantages Of Mediation?

Mediation allows you and your spouse to make the decisions that will affect the rest of your lives. Otherwise, you risk leaving them to a judge who knows little about you, your situation, your family or your goals for the future. It also saves considerable time, money and effort, as most issues can be resolved efficiently.

Finally, it has the potential to leave you and your spouse feeling like you have each gotten a fair deal, setting up the framework for a better working relationship for co-parenting as you go forward with your lives.

Work With A Dakota County Divorce Mediation Attorney Today

To discuss mediation for your divorce with attorney Todd Dwire, please contact us at 952-232-0179 or online to schedule a free consultation. From our Lakeville office location, we can assist clients in the Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Lakeville, Prior Lake, Savage and Shakopee areas.