St. Louis Mediation
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution in which a neutral third party helps disputing parties resolve conflict without involving a judge.
At The Betz Law Firm, we are experienced divorce and family law attorneys. However, our principal partner, David Betz, is also experienced in resolving cases through mediation. As a firm, we are committed to guiding our clients through the divorce process with the same level of professionalism that we would wish for our family members.
I hired the services of David Betz for purposes of getting a name change and him and his paralegal Debbye were professional, answered emails promptly, and were able to handle a complication in my case with no problems. Would highly recommend Mr. Betz.
Mr. Betz is a knowledgeable and helpful straight shooter who truly cares about kids! Highly recommend.
The Betz Law Firm assisted my son with legally changing his name. They were extremely easy to work and very helpful!!!
David Betz and Debbye Lasky were both wonderful to work with and accomplished what I needed done.
David was very professional and helpful for our child during a recent litigation. I would highly recommend his firm for GAL service or attorney service!
Fair Guardian Ad Litem who has walked a tightrope of a custody case
I was very impressed with Mr. Betz’s service. He was the GAL for my children. He was very professional, fair-but-caring and advocated tireless for the children’s best interests. He took his time to talk to them about their wishes, giving us sound advice and guided us through an otherwise contentious process. I appreciated his professionalism, ethics and would highly recommend him.
My son and I have worked with David Betz for several years in custody matters concerning my grandson. I have found him to be genuinely concerned with our situation and responsive to our needs. He listens carefully and handles matters promptly. He is realistic in evaluating situations and helps us to arrive at the best possible alternatives. I highly recommend him for family law matters.
I am a transfeminine nonbinary person that used The Betz Firm to get my name changed. They were extremely affirming, and excited to work with me through this as it was an immensely huge deal for me. Thank you Betz Firm, for making this a reality for me!
Joel and David are extremely helpful and helped with everything I needed. They are kind and worked with me with all of my needs regarding my case! I would recommend to everyone!
David was phenomenal in helping me secure protection and safety for myself and my daughter during the divorce and custody case. We ultimately prevailed at the end with 100% custody and a judgement in favor of the petitioner for support, with heavy stipulations in place for visitation. David by your side in the courtroom is a sure fire win. Place your bets on Betz!
David was super helpful in getting all of my questions answered. He was kind and patient while I explained the situation I was dealing with, and outlined numerous options and avenues that I had as choices. He didn't sugar coat things and was honest where he thought struggles would appear in the case, and talked through best and worst case scenarios. He also was nice enough to offer additional phone calls if more questions came up while choosing how to move forward with the case. I would highly recommend talking to David about your case if you need a family lawyer, as it's obvious that he is kind, and extremely knowledgeable about family law and the complications it can involve.
The Betz Firm has handled all of our family law needs. They are an impressive team to work with and they have the ability to find the best solution for their clients.
I have all the world to say about this man. He helped me piece my life back together.
David Betz took the time to answer all of my questions and was very kind, thoughtful, considerate, and most importantly of all knowledgeable. I very much appreciated his time and help!
The staff is very professional and friendly and comforting to their clients (the children). They definitely put us all at ease during an uncomfortable time.David himself is very easy to talk to, and both of my kids really liked him. I am very impressed with their involvement in our case. He has been easy to work with and good at getting back to us in a timely manner with issues regarding our case.I would highly recommend his office to anyone in need of legal help for their children.10 months later...I wanted to add, we have been in this case for 22 months and it’s about to wrap up. David has been amazing. My 16 year old daughter had kind of lost her faith in the system and in adults - David really worked with her and helped hold her accountable, but also gave her a voice, great advice, and really won her over. She really trusts him. When she was struggling, she would ask to call David. When I was struggling with her, I would threaten to call David and she would become more agreeable. She really trusts and respects him. Which for me, takes a unique skill set. Not everyone can get an unhappy teen to comply and also still keep their trust and respect. My son loved David too. Both kids looked forward to our apts with David. Which when you are fighting a child support/ custody case and your drained, it’s so nice to have parts of the process be so easy and helpful. And that’s what we got from David and his staff.David has offered to be available if he can help after the case with questions or getting a teenager in line. They were understanding and more than fair with my payment options. Joel, his assistant- is a joy to talk to and prompt to respond and he chatted with the kids and put them at ease in a very uncomfortable situation. I can’t say enough good things about them.We drive past their office every day on the way to school and my daughter said she wanted to stop by and take David a Christmas present. That’s pretty impressive for a 16 year old.They really made a very unbearable situation so much better; David even made us smile and laugh during a very nerve wracking time.I would highly recommend them to anyone. Definitely 5 plus stars!
David helped me successfully navigate through a challenging legal scenario, where timely direction and counsel were paramount to a positive outcome. He quickly understood the issues at hand, provided very practical advice, all the while demonstrating his firm understanding of the law. Just as importantly, his advice was grounded in how the practical application of that knowledge would lead to a positive outcome. He was easy to talk with, a focused listener, honest, and it was obvious that he was not out for his own gain. It was nothing short of a positive experience from start to finish!
I retained David Betz for my divorce and very happy with how things turned out. David and his team went straight to work and kept me updated every step of the way. If you looking for someone to get the job done, then look no further. Thank You David and Joel for all you have done for me!!
I felt comfortable with David and was always treated with respect and listened to.
Such a great experience working with David. He truly was looking after my child's best interest and that's what it's all about. But he also was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and explained everything so that even my 7 year old could understand. Well done.
David is a great person and lawyer. He was on top of the situation instantly also very professional. I would recommend him to anyone that wants not only a lawyer but a friend he listened to my concerns and took action thats what I like about him. Thanks David ! My life is forever changed !
David actually cared and unlike most attorneys, did not try to take as much as possible. I am satisfied and got everything I needed.
David Betz is professional and is very to the point! He knows the law and helps to get you a fair deal. He helped me get 50 percent custody of my kids and my home back from my ex. His staff are very knowledgeable and helpfully as well! I highly recommend him to anyone going though a custody battle!
I was in a very tough spot legally with a family situation. David was able to help me out and I got much more than I ever expected from the court. I give David the highest possible rating!!! He will do what is necessary to help you with your family law situation.
David Betz is very kind and will answer any questions you have regarding your case in a timely manner. I highly recommend him.
Really listened and provided solid advice and assistance. Always made himself available and never rushed our meetings. He really cared about our outcome, I felt like a friend rather than a client. A great attorney and true professional.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method that people can use instead of going to court before a judge. This process utilizes a third party, a mediator, to help two parties agree on divorce, child custody, and other legal issues.
Sometimes, a judge may refer the parties to mediation, and at other times, the parties may request the use of a mediator. Mediation gives divorcing couples a way to resolve issues that need to be resolved with the help of attorneys but without going to court. It is typically considered more prompt, inexpensive, and procedurally simple than formal litigation.
How Mediation Works
When a couple decides to use a mediator, there is a process to ensure the mediation is successful. Mediation allows the parties to focus on the underlying circumstances rather than narrow legal issues. Therefore, it’s necessary that the mediation is organized and follows specific steps. The steps of mediation generally include:
- Introductory meeting – All parties, including the mediator, will meet together. The mediator will introduce himself, explain their role, and ensure he is a neutral party whose goal is to help both parties reach a fair and just resolution. The mediator will then give a general statement concerning what he sees as the issues, outline the process, and discuss protocol.
- State the Issues – Following the introduction, the mediator will allow each party to explain the issues and tell their side of the story. The party that is not speaking must remain silent. It is, after all, the point of choosing mediation so that the parties can reach a reasonable agreement. When parties begin bickering or arguing, the end of mediation is lost.
- Gathering Information – The mediator will request a form detailing the evidence, facts, and all other pertinent information that may help the mediator conclude. The mediator will then ask questions to understand further the fiscal and emotional reasons behind the parties’ decisions.
- Identifying the Problem – The mediator will discuss what he feels is the heart of the matter.
- Bargaining – The bargaining process can begin once the issues have been determined. The mediator has several options, but he might put together a proposed settlement and let the parties amend it until they come to a reasonable solution. The mediator will meet with each party individually to decide on negotiations. The meetings are confidential and provide an environment, away from the other party, to think about things and freely discuss emotions and fears.
Mediation is appropriate at any stage of a dispute and doesn’t require an underlying legal case. Mediation can help reduce conflict and keep costs from escalating when used early in a dispute.
How Long Does Mediation Last?
One mediation session is generally scheduled to last three hours. While both parties must be prepared to spend three hours there, the session may not last that long. Sometimes, issues can be resolved in a single session; occasionally, additional sessions are needed.
Is Mediation Right for You?
As mentioned above, mediation involves a neutral third party – the mediator. It’s important to remember that he does not decide anything for you. Instead, he listens to what you and your spouse say, offers his advice, and assists in guiding negotiations in a positive direction. He knows how to move conversations in the right direction and help you find common ground.
Therefore, for mediation to work in your situation, you and your spouse will eventually need to agree on the terms of your divorce. You’ll need to agree on most things and not become seriously argumentative about things you don’t agree on. You must both be willing to compromise.
There are other situations where mediation is not appropriate. For instance, mediation is not the correct forum in domestic, sexual, or substance abuse cases. In any situation with a restraining order, you must request from the court a temporary lifting of the order for the purpose of mediation. Finally, mediation is not the right option for an ongoing investigation or evaluation.
Contact The Betz Law Firm
A couple generally does not decide to divorce easily. Following through with it is even more trying as the complexities become overwhelming. Emotions run very high during these difficult times, especially when children are involved.
Our legal practice is focused exclusively on family law. It comprises a staff of experienced professionals who know all the legal issues that can arise during a divorce. Hundreds of clients have been assisted with child custody issues, visitation, support, alimony, division of joint assets, and much more in the mediation process.
If you are considering mediation, contact The Betz Law Firm today. We are committed to guiding our clients and their families through the divorce process with the least amount of emotional trauma and turmoil possible.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
