Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's Family Law Group works closely with the firm's Alternative Dispute Resolution Group to provide services in the areas of divorce, alimony, custody, tax and property issues. This work extends to areas such as mediation, adoption, change of name, prenuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements for couples.

We are known as problem solvers and believe in alternative solutions to litigation of family law issues. In the highly charged emotional atmosphere of family disputes, we have devised alternatives to potentially time consuming and burdensome litigation.

Mediation

Mediation is a non-adversarial process for resolving issues when couples who are separating or divorcing use a neutral, unbiased mediator to help them reach their own agreement. Using a step-by-step approach, the mediator guides the parties to identify their present and future needs. The couple voluntarily structures a fair and mutually satisfactory plan covering their financial needs, their home and other assets, and their parenting arrangements.

Mediation is not therapy or marriage counseling; rather, it is the structured process of negotiation and resolution of separation issues between the parties themselves, with professional guidance.

Some of the Benefits of Mediation

• Minimizes stress, hostility and anxiety
• Enhances communication between the parties, which is especially important when children are involved
• Saves time and legal fees
• Expedites the resolution of specific issues
• Separates emotional factors from financial decisions
• Results in tailor-made agreements