Mediation FAQs

You can start this at anytime, even before you file.

Best Law Firm (480) 219-2433.

We care. Our attorneys have witnessed the devastation that conflict causes families. We recognize that a spirit of cooperation is a lifelong gift that families can give to themselves.

All of this will be addressed at the initial meeting with the mediator. Each party is under the full disclosure requirements of the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, including Rule 49.

Substance abuse and domestic violence are issues that are not generally suitable for mediation.

If all outstanding issues cannot be resolved in the mediation process, the court will have to decide them. The mediator cannot represent either party if the mediation fails, nor can either party use any settlement negotiations as evidence in court under Arizona Rules of Evidence, Rule 408, and the family law rules.

Best Mediation Services provides document preparation services, including Rule 69 Agreements (Memorandum of Understanding) that memorialize the parties’ agreements, the petition and supporting documents to initiate your case in the court, and draft and file consent decrees, parenting plans, and property settlement agreements to finalize your case.

Mediation is successful when both parties are active, willing, and cooperative in the mediation process. The parties must have a desire to compromise and find a resolution. In addition, the parties must act in good faith, be professional and listen to the other party.

Yes, mediation is an option for parties’ even if they have already filed for divorce. Often times, parties may decide litigation is not cost-effective or that with the help of a third party they can resolve their issues without the long, expensive litigation process.

Yes, retaining individual counsel is an option; however it is not necessary. Individual attorneys may advise their clients of their legal rights throughout the mediation process and assist in reviewing agreements reached in mediation before they are signed or filed. The individual attorney may or may not choose to attend the mediation.

Non-binding: A party in the mediation process is not bound to any outcome reached in the mediation process when they agree to mediate, sign an Agreement to Mediate or enter into the mediation process. Binding: Mediation is binding only if an agreement is reached by both parties, it is in writing, and it is signed.

No, a mediator cannot act as both your mediator and your individual attorney because that would be a conflict of interest. If you would like Ms. Best to represent you individually to handle your case, you may visit our website at www.bestlawaz.com. Once an attorney becomes your mediator, he or she cannot represent either party.

You will be divorced after the required documents are filed with the court and a judge signs the consent decree.

Best Mediation Service also provides a document preparation and filing service. The paperwork agreed to in mediation can be filed with the Maricopa County Superior Court.

No paperwork is required to be filed unless you are getting divorced, legally separated or want child support payments to be made through the State of Arizona Support Payment Clearinghouse.

The parties can decide how to divide the cost of the mediation.

Yes. Instead of spending money on two separate attorneys, mediation allows the parties to pay for one mediator to resolve all of the issues in the case.

On average, mediation can cost approximately less than 70-80% of total litigation costs. At Best Mediation Services, parties can pay by the hour in a step-by-step process.

Mediation is a negotiation method of nonbinding dispute resolution involving a neutral third party mediator who assists the parties reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Mediation is the fastest growing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method. In mediation, the parties create their own settlement terms with the assistant of an impartial mediator.

In the Phoenix area, the average divorce proceedings take 6-12 months.