Work Through Family Legal Issues Peacefully With A Tacoma Mediator
Many people going through divorce or custody disputes want to avoid the stress and cost of court. They’re looking for a way to reach agreements respectfully, without losing control of the outcome. Mediation offers a structured but informal path to do just that.
At the Law Office of Teena Johnson, I help individuals and families in Tacoma and throughout Pierce and King counties use mediation to resolve their legal matters calmly and cooperatively. With over 25 years of experience in family law, I understand how to guide you through challenging conversations so that everyone’s voice is heard.
How Mediation Works In Family Law
Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps you and the other person reach mutual agreements on issues such as divorce, property division and parenting time. As your mediator, I do not take sides. My role is to facilitate productive dialogue and help both of you find common ground.
Mediation can be done with or without attorneys present. Typically, one or more sessions are scheduled, depending on how many issues need to be discussed. You can use the agreements we reach to finalize your divorce or custody case.
My Role As Your Mediator
As a mediator, I will objectively help you and the other person work out mutually agreeable solutions. We would do this by having one or more sessions together, with or without attorneys, to work through issues that will need to be decided.
When I am the mediator, I cannot give legal advice or draft your documents; only your attorney can do that. I can, however, help both of you reach written agreements that you can then take to your attorney to be drafted into the appropriate paperwork, or you can draft them yourself. I can also work with you if you are using a mediator to answer your legal questions, draft your documents and guide you through the legal process.
FAQs: Washington Family Law Mediation
Family law mediation often raises practical questions about how agreements work and what happens if challenges arise. The following answers provide clarity so you can better understand the mediation process and make informed decisions.
Can a mediated agreement be changed or modified in the future?
Yes, an agreement can be modified if circumstances change significantly. For example, issues involving child custody, parenting time or support may need to be revisited if one parent relocates, a child’s needs evolve or financial situations shift. Courts in Washington allow parties to request modifications when they can demonstrate that the change is substantial and ongoing.
It is important to understand that not every change will qualify, and the court will evaluate whether the modification serves the best interests of the child and maintains fairness between the parties. Judicial approval is required to make changes legally binding.
What is a “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) in family law mediation?
A memorandum of understanding is a written document that outlines the agreements reached during mediation. It is not the final court order, but it serves as a detailed record of the decisions made by the involved parties. The standard MOU typically covers topics such as parenting schedules, division of property and financial arrangements.
Once completed, the MOU can be submitted to the court, where it may be incorporated into a formal order or decree. The MOU can provide clarity and help reduce the likelihood of future disputes because it captures agreed-upon terms in writing before being finalized through the court system.
What happens if we can’t reach an agreement through mediation?
If mediation does not result in an agreement, the unresolved issues may proceed to litigation. This means the court will hear arguments, review evidence and make decisions on matters such as custody, support and property division. While litigation provides a resolution, it is often more time-consuming, costly and adversarial than mediation.
Even if mediation does not fully resolve every issue, it can still narrow the scope of disputes, making the court process more efficient. In some cases, parties may return to mediation later, either voluntarily or at the court’s suggestion, to attempt resolution again. This means mediation is not a wasted effort, even if complete agreement remains out of reach.
Let’s Explore Peaceful Solutions Together
Please consider that sometimes another option, such as collaborative law or having an attorney draft documents reflecting your agreements with your spouse, may be a more efficient and appropriate way to work through your divorce or legal separation issues while still incorporating the cooperative benefits of mediation. If you have questions about that, please contact my office online or call me at 253-210-2872.