Chicago Mediation Attorney

Mediator in Cook County for Facilitating Productive Family Law Negotiations

When a married couple gets divorced, they may have unresolved issues related to property and debt division, spousal support, the allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, and child support. Reaching an agreement about issues such as these is often extremely difficult for a divorcing couple. Attempts to negotiate a divorce settlement that works for both spouses may devolve into arguments that do not get the couple any closer to a resolution.

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, our team understands that the sheer number of issues that must be addressed in a divorce or family-law related dispute can be overwhelming, and the couple may not know where to even begin. In cases like these, the couple may assume that their case must go to litigation, however, this is not their only option. Mediation is one type of alternative dispute resolution method that can be extremely beneficial to divorcing couples who are struggling with resolving the terms of their divorce. If you are facing a divorce or a family-related dispute, we will help you explore the possibility of mediation for your case.

The Illinois Mediation Process

During mediation, the two parties meet with a third-party mediator to discuss their unresolved issues and work on finding a resolution. The mediator's job is to help facilitate a cooperative, productive conversation about these issues and ultimately help the couple reach an agreement. The mediator does not make any decisions on behalf of the couple but instead helps the couple define the issues, find common ground, and negotiate mutually beneficial solutions.

Mediation may also involve assistance from experts such as child development specialists, therapists, financial advisors, and accountants. Once the couple reaches a resolution, an attorney may take responsibility for filing the agreements with the court and obtaining the final divorce decree. Mediation may be initiated voluntarily or the spouses may be required to attend mediation by the court. Illinois circuit courts typically require mediation for divorce or family law cases involving child custody and visitation disputes.

Because of the imbalance of power, mediation is not recommended in cases involving domestic violence or abuse. Mediation may also be inappropriate for other high-conflict situations, such as those involving a narcissistic spouse or other personality disorders.

Advantages of Family Law Mediation

Divorce litigation can be time-consuming, stressful, combative, and expensive. Mediation is a cooperative process that puts the spouses in direct control over the outcome instead of a judge. Because spouses are able to find solutions that work for their particular needs, agreements reached during mediation have a much higher rate of compliance than court orders reached during litigation. Another major benefit of mediation is that, unlike courtroom litigation, discussions during the mediation process are confidential.

Attorney Curtis Bennett Ross is a seasoned family lawyer with over three decades of legal experience. He is also a certified family law mediator who knows how to help couples get results, both in mediation and direct negotiations. Mr. Ross is ready and willing to mediate your case, or he can help you prepare for mediation as your individually retained attorney. Either way, he and his team will provide the trusted guidance you need at every stage of the proceedings.

Speak with a Knowledgeable Attorney

If you and your spouse are getting divorced and you anticipate that you will struggle to reach an agreement about child-related matters, property division, spousal maintenance, or any other issues, consider mediation. To learn more, contact our office. Call 312-984-1514 for a limited free consultation at The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC today. We serve clients in Old Town, River North, Oak Park, Lincoln Park Wrightwood, Gold Coast, West Loop, The Loop, Andersonville, Wicker Park, Chicago, and the rest of Cook County.