Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party helps 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.
David Betz was great to work with. He was patient, listened carefully, and was able to make non-biased, rational recommendations that both parties would agree to. I could tell he has a lot of mediation experience as he cut right through the emotional vomit and laid out the facts. His wisdom greatly expedited a resolution to my case and avoided a costly trial. I would highly recommend the Betz Law Firm to anyone seeking a sensible, professional mediation experience.
Unfortunately, I found myself in a difficult situation and in need of mediation; Mr. Betz stepped up with only a moments notice. My previous experience with mediation was horrific, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the experience with Mr. Betz. His calm demeanor and efficiency was greatly appreciated, not to mention his willingness to step into an unknown situation and make it better, so very thankful.
I experienced a very difficult divorce process 6 years ago. There's no need to get into the details, but calling it difficult is quite an understatement. My now former spouse had unlimited funds for attorney's fees, and I did not. The whole process took 20 months from start to finish.
My primary concern was for the future of both children. David made his decisions on facts and what he believed to be best for the kids. He did an incredible job of remaining objective amidst all the distractions and what I'll call the antics of the other three attorneys, yes, three attorneys employed by the opposing side at different times during the 20 months.
David's recommendations to the judge never wavered from what was best for the kids. I am writing this review now because I can definitely state that David's recommendations were what was best for the kids. The kids are now 17 and 15, and they are thriving. Yes, I did my part as a parent, but I would never have had the chance to do so without the intelligence and integrity of David. He has the right combination of life experience, courage, and intelligence to earn the trust of anyone representing their children. I cannot say enough good things about David's commitment to being an exemplary GAL.
I will close by saying that I am a paramedic and have been for a long time. Paramedics judge each other on whether we would want a particular paramedic working on our children in an emergency. Using that benchmark, I trust David to work on behalf of my kids, and if you have the opportunity to have David represent your children, you can trust him to advocate for the most vulnerable individuals in a divorce who need protection the most.
I contacted the Betz Law Firm to handle changing my name this year.
The firm was very professional and returned my inquiry quickly. I worked with Debbye and she handled everything with accuracy and kindness.
Everything was handled quickly and easily. Debbye displayed her excellent knowledge of the process as she walked me through everything. Overall, they took great care of me. Truly a white glove experience! I cannot recommend Betz highly enough and will be back to any future legal needs.
Attorney David Betz was appointed Guardian ad Litem to represent my minor child during a highly contested divorce proceeding. Attorney Betz developed a structured and safe plan during the proceeding and recommended a final arrangement that was in the best interest of my minor child to keep him protected and ensure his safety.
David was very helpful and respectful all around. He took the time to hear my Son’s concerns and made him feel comfortable sharing these concerns. He was always on time and ready to handle our case, always prepared. I appreciate that, to me it shows that he really does care about the families he’s helping. I highly recommend him if you are considering a GAL for your case.
I appreciate Mr. Betz taking the time and effort to get to know everyone, especially including by being a part of depositions, and helping to facilitate an opportunity for us to move forward amicably in a co-parenting dynamic. I would recommend him.
I have known David for many years, working on cases and outside of work. He is a fantastic advocate, has high standards, is well respected and sticks to his principles. He gets the struggles parents can face raising kids these days. I really admire his courage and how he fights to make a positive difference in people's lives, especially for his clients.
The Betz law firm did an amazing and efficient job executing on my non-contested divorce. My ex drug his feet and the law firm kept on him and even was prepared to go forward with a non-response judgement. My ex responded the day before we went for a non-responsive judgement and agreed, finally. The judge signed off within the week and I was notified via email that my divorce was final a few days prior to receiving the email. I never had to go to their office or to court to face my ex. From start to finish, this took 6 months almost to the day. Again, my ex drug his feet, this could have probably gone faster. Thank you Debbye Laskey for keeping the paperwork straight and to Mr. Betz for the legal components.
Mr. Betz is an exceptional attorney who has been an advisor for me and represented many of my clients. He is well respected within the legal community and trusted by all.
David and his team are excellent to work with. The care, expertise, along with the ease and frequency of communications always kept me well informed and aware of the status of my situation. I cannot recommend The Betz Law Firm enough and I won’t hesitate to call them again in the future if I ever require their services again.
Mr Betz worked with both of us for us with our mediation, no matter how frustrating she was becoming. He handled the situation very calmly and professionally. Thank you for helping it come to a resolution.
I have worked with Mr. Betz a number of times and have always found him to be a wonderful GAL and mediator. He does the work, gets things done, and cares about the tasks and people involved. I highly recommend him as both a GAL and mediator.
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.
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!
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!
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 reach an agreement 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, less expensive, and procedurally simpler than formal litigation.
How Mediation Works
When a couple decides to use a mediator, a specific process is in place 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 themselves, 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 provide a general statement regarding what they see as the key issues, outline the process, and discuss the protocol.
State the Issues – Following the introduction, the mediator will allow each party to explain the issues and share their perspective. 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 further understand 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 essential to remember that he does not make decisions on your behalf. Instead, he listens to what you and your spouse say, offers his advice, and helps guide 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. Ultimately, mediation is not the appropriate option for ongoing investigations or evaluations.
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 are familiar with 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.
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