Divorce and Family Mediation

Is Mediation for Your Family? Mediation can help the relationship, keeps animosity to a minimum and can reduce stress. Mediation can result in as good or better agreements for the parties involved than other types of negotiation. This is because the people involved in the mediation decide on the resolution and what is defined as success. The parties are more likely to maintain an agreement because they crafted the agreement. Mediation is an economically-sound approach, especially when compared to the cost of a trial. The process is confidential; information revealed during mediation cannot be used in a future trial, and mediation does not result in a public record. Mediation works. Once an agreement is reached, I present it to the court as a stipulation and it will be adopted as a court order.

Fresno and Madera County Divorce Lawyer Patricia Bone O'Neill

I encourage mediation as a viable and advantageous method toward reaching divorce agreements. My commitment to mediation is based on my belief that the better the parents get along, the better adjusted the children will be. I also believe that mediation puts the control in your hands rather than in the hands of a judge.

If you are considering divorce or experiencing another serious family dispute, I encourage you to ask me about mediation services. Call my firm at (559) 221-1101 for your complimentary telephone consultation. Or, contact me by e-mail and someone will be in touch with you promptly.

Divorce Mediation and Resolution of a Range of Family Law Disputes

In appropriate circumstances, I strongly encourage people to consider mediation for divorce and other family law issues. Nearly every type of family law dispute can be resolved through mediation, including:

• Financial issues such as property division and spousal support (alimony) can be handled through mediation. The amicable financial decisions that are made can have a direct impact on other aspects of your relationship with your ex-spouse.
• Child custody and visitation arrangements are often more satisfying for parents and children alike when they are reached through mediation. Parents are able to communicate effectively with each other, and children are not placed in the middle of contentious custody battles.
• Child support is decided by state guidelines, but disputes regarding support can be resolved in mediation. For example, some parents who are paying support may agree to pay more, or a parent who is owed support might waive the arrears in return for other arrangements.

The best way to determine if mediation is for you is to contact my law firm and arrange a consultation. Mediation does offer a number of advantages mediation over resolving disputes in court.

My Background as a Lawyer and a Mediator Can Help

In addition to being a practicing family law attorney, I am a trained mediator. I have taken courses in family mediation through Fresno Pacific University's Conflict and Peacemaking program and through the BBB Dispute Resolution Center. I also serve as a pro tem settlement judge for real estate issues and have an undergraduate degree in social work. I enjoy helping people develop their own divorce or family law agreements and helping families direct their own lives.

If you are interested in learning more, please call (559) 221-1101 for a free telephone consultation or contact me by e-mail to schedule an appointment.

Patricia Bone O'Neill, Attorney at Law

600 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 420
Fresno, CA 93704
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Phone: (559) 221-1101 | Fax: (559) 221-1105

Fresno family law attorney Patricia Bone O'Neill represents individuals and families throughout Fresno County and Madeira County in communities such as Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Sanger, Selma, Shaver Lake, Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Coalinga, Reedley and Chowchilla.

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