At times, divorce and other family law matters in Portland, OR can be resolved without the expense, time, and stress of lengthy courtroom proceedings. Involving a professional mediator who encourages productive communication between disputing parties, mediation takes a collaborative approach to a disagreement. Divorce mediation allows disputing parties to retain more control over proceedings – and their outcome. Rather than lawyers and judges making decisions regarding custody or divorce, the parties themselves can reach mutually acceptable agreements that are in their best interests.
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In determining whether mediation is right for you (or if it will be required in your case), you may find it helpful to review the pros and cons of this collaborative approach to family law disputes.
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Mediation can offer several key benefits. For example:
When mediation is not required by the court, it is completely voluntary. That means that both parties must agree to take this approach. Additionally, parties may find that, even under a mediator’s skilled guidance, they cannot reach agreements regarding their dispute. At that point, they may need to go through with court proceedings.
Should we as the mediator not be able to resolve your issues and litigation is needed, we as the mediator will not be able to represent either you or your spouse.
At Levine Law Center, we believe that we offer the most streamlined, convenient and efficient process for mediating a divorce.
The first step is a complimentary 15-minute phone or zoom consultation, ideally with both parties present. This offers us a chance to get to know one another and for me to answer any high-level questions.
Prior to engaging in mediation, we ensure that both sides have equal access to the fundamental financials so that both parties feel comfortable in their understanding of the marital estate. At minimum, both sides (and Andrew) need to have access to the following information:
· Financials
There may be other items that one side wants to see (or records that go back further in time). Andrew will work with both sides to accomplish this, and he will also identify other records that may be pertinent. Please note that Andrew will not work on cases where one side refuses to provide critical information or attempts to “hide the ball” on this obligation. Simply put, it is not fair to the other party.
This step usually takes approximately two to three weeks to complete.
Once there has been an exchange of financials, Andrew will meet with the parties by Zoom for 30 minutes (in cases with no children) to one hour (in cases where there are children). Andrew will go over the materials received and schedule mediation with the parties.
After scheduling mediation, Andrew will send each party a detailed questionnaire that is kept confidential between the individual party and Andrew. This questionnaire focuses on the client’s financial goals and addresses issues involving children. Andrew expects that the parties submit their questionnaires to him at least 24 hours in advance of the mediation.
Andrew sets two hours of time for the parties’ first day of mediation. The mediation is done entirely by Zoom. Parties are to be in separate spaces where they can speak freely to Andrew. Andrew starts by talking to both parties for approximately 15 minutes, and then will speak to one side confidentially for another 15 minutes, then the other side for 15 minutes. Thereafter, Andrew will take 15-30 minutes to generate a work in progress marital settlement agreement. Andrew will then bring both sides back together and share his screen which has this settlement framework. Time permitting, the parties will work with Andrew to reach resolution on as many issues as possible. Sometimes, parties will come to mediation with a partial agreement. In that instance, we usually can wrap up mediation and get a full agreement on the first day. If full resolution cannot be reached, Andrew will work with the parties to schedule another round of mediation, and Andrew will send a copy of the work-in-progress to both sides with a list of to-do’s (e.g. taking the parent education course or getting an appraisal).
Additional appointments are typically scheduled three days to one week apart, schedules permitting. Each case is different. Depending on the complexity of the case and volume of issues (as well as how well you can work together with your spouse), it is not uncommon for Andrew to have between three and five separate mediation meetings with the parties.
Once the parties have reached a full agreement, the parties typically retain Andrew to draft the divorce documents. It takes Andrew roughly one week to prepare the documents for review. At this stage, parties can retain separate lawyers to review the documents to give legal advice (parties can also speak with separate lawyers at any stage of this process). Each side may have some corrections or feedback. To streamline the
process, what Andrew asks is that both sides discuss their proposed changes or corrections with one another, and then in one email send him a list of the changes that are agreed upon or not agreed upon. Andrew can then schedule a brief three-way call to discuss as needed. Although unlikely, depending on the size of the dispute, there may be a need for an additional round of mediation.
Once the documents are fully signed and filed with the court, it usually takes approximately two weeks for the court to review and sign off on the divorce. Andrew receives a copy of the signed divorce judgment from the court, and Andrew emails a copy to both sides.
It is not uncommon for there to be to-do’s after the divorce is finalized. For example, if retirements need to be divided, retaining a QDRO lawyer to facilitate said retirement divisions. Or getting a home listed and sold. Or a party’s work schedule changes and the parenting plan needs to be revised. The list goes on. The reality is that depending on what the issue is, post-judgment problems can potentially be very contentious. If something does arise, Andrew encourages you to reach out and request another mediation session to address the problem(s) before either side files motions with the court.
Levine Law Center is committed to making the mediation fee and cost structure as transparent as possible.
The first 15-minute mediation introductory call is complimentary.
Billing is thereafter done at the rate of $350/hour for Andrew and $175 for staff/paralegal time. This entails (best approximation):
· Pre-mediation review of materials (financials and questionnaires): 2 hours
· Mediation sessions: 2 hours a piece
· Post-mediation communications as needed: 0-2 hours
· Complete divorce paperwork package filed with the court to get you divorced upon agreement at mediation: 2-3 hours paralegal time and 2-3 hours of attorney time + a one-time $301 filing fee that goes to the court.
To handle payment, one credit or debit card be kept on file. A monthly statement reflecting work done will be sent to both sides. Thereafter the card on file will be charged for the work done.
Although Oregon used to have a law that required couples to wait 90 days after filing for divorce, no such wait is necessary anymore. This means that if a couple chooses to pursue mediation and has an uncontested divorce, they could settle in a matter of weeks.
This is much faster than a contested divorce involving litigation, which can take six months to a year or longer to complete.
At Levine Law Center LLC, we believe that every client deserves personalized attention and exceptional legal representation. With a team-oriented approach, extensive experience, and flexible payment options, we are committed to addressing your unique legal needs. Whether it’s protecting your business, family, or future, we’re here to deliver results that matter to you and your loved ones.
Mediation is a collaborative approach to resolving disputes where a professional mediator facilitates communication between the parties to help them reach mutually acceptable agreements.
Mediation offers several benefits over courtroom proceedings, including cost-effectiveness, confidentiality, faster resolution, and the ability for parties to retain more control over the outcome.
Mediation is not mandatory in Portland, Oregon. It is a voluntary process, and both parties must agree to participate.
If the parties cannot reach an agreement through mediation, they may need to pursue court proceedings to resolve their dispute.
The divorce mediation process in Portland involves several key steps, starting with an initial consultation to assess the situation. This is followed by open communication between both parties, identification of issues and interests, negotiation with the help of a neutral mediator, and finally, drafting and finalizing a comprehensive agreement. This process is designed to help parties reach a mutually beneficial resolution efficiently and amicably.
Divorce mediation in Portland is a confidential process, which means that the discussions and agreements made during mediation are not made public. This privacy is a significant advantage for those who prefer to handle their family law matters discreetly, without the details becoming part of the public record, as they often do in traditional courtroom litigation.
Yes, divorce mediation in Portland can be significantly less expensive than litigation. The collaborative nature of mediation typically requires less time than courtroom hearings, which means lower legal fees. Levine Law Center offers a flat fee for mediation services, providing a cost-effective alternative to the potentially high costs of a contested divorce that goes to court.
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Our Levine Law Center Attorneys serve people inside Oregon and our firm is conveniently located near you. We have an office in Portland at 1020 SW Taylor St #449, Portland, OR 97205. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.51870738722003, -122.6831235356941
Preparing for divorce mediation is often key to reaching a settlement as quickly as possible and without incurring any unnecessary expenses.
The first thing you’ll need to do is assemble all the necessary paperwork that could be relevant to your divorce. This will include recent pay stubs, W2 or 1099 forms, an itemized list of assets (bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate, etc.). You will also need to list your debts (credit cards, mortgage, auto loans, student loans, etc.).
You should also set goals for the mediation process. This means articulating what you and your spouse want to walk away from the mediation process with. Goals can include how assets and debts should be divided, how much parenting time each spouse gets with children, and other important objectives.
Once you and your spouse feel fully prepared to begin the divorce mediation process, it’s time to seek the assistance of a mediator like someone from Levine Law Center who can help.
Like most family law matters, you should not begin mediation without seeking professional counsel. Our Portland divorce mediation lawyers can talk to you about your goals and what may be required in your case. At Levine Law Center, we believe in taking a fresh approach to our clients’ divorce, custody, and other family law cases. We work closely with our clients to protect their best interests and pursue the best possible outcome in their individual cases.
Contact us at (503) 208-3459 today for more information and insight from Portland, OR divorce mediators near you.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by, Andrew Levine who is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Levine Law Center.
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