Baltimore, Maryland Family Law Mediation Lawyers

Attorneys Providing Divorce and Child Custody Mediation Services in Baltimore

During a family law case, the parties involved will need to address multiple types of legal issues. In many cases, they will want to avoid serious conflict and work together to resolve issues productively. Mediation is one of the most beneficial ways of doing so.

Mediation is a confidential, non-adversarial process that allows parties to negotiate a resolution to their dispute rather than having a resolution imposed upon them by a court order. It is considered non-adversarial, and it is done outside of the courtroom.

There are many benefits of pursuing mediation, including the element of privacy it provides and the opportunity to reach a resolution for a family without the cost and complexity of litigation. Following a trial, the court will have the final say on how matters will be resolved, and the decisions made may not be satisfactory for either party. Mediation can help avoid this, since it will allow parties to have a more controlled say in the outcome of the process.

At Silverman Thompson, we provide mediation services to help clients resolve family law cases successfully. Whether spouses need to take steps to complete a divorce, parents need to address concerns about child custody and visitation, or other types of family-related disputes need to be resolved, we can help parties work together effectively and negotiate agreements that will meet their needs.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation typically involves the two parties, their attorneys, and the mediator. In Maryland, at a minimum, mediators must undertake 40 hours of training to qualify for their unique role. Depending on the interests and comfort of the parties, mediation can take place in person or over Zoom, and the parties are often set up in different rooms with the opportunity to speak privately with their attorneys. They can then express their wants, needs, interests, and concerns to the mediator, who will then speak to the other side about their position. The goal of this process is to reach as peaceful a resolution as possible, going back and forth in communication to compromise in an attempt to reach agreements on all outstanding issues.

While there are many benefits to mediation, it is not for everyone. Families that have had to contend with domestic violence are often screened out of the mediation process in order to safeguard the best interests of survivors. Mediation also requires both parties to be interested in reaching a respectful resolution outside of trial, and it cannot successfully be sought by one side alone.

Another important factor to consider is that the mediator does not have the same power as the court. Their goal, as a neutral facilitator, is to help the parties reach a settlement that will then be incorporated into a court order. The mediator does not make decisions about the outcome of a case. Instead, the parties will need to agree on the terms of their settlement.

Some people may wonder if their mediator can provide them with legal advice. The answer is no. While many mediators in Maryland are also practicing lawyers or retired judges, when they are serving in the role of mediator, they are not there as a lawyer. This is why it can be especially beneficial for the parties involved in mediation to have their own experienced legal counsel. Ideally, an attorney will have been trained in the mediation process, ensuring that they will be able to protect their client's interests while advising them during negotiations.

Representation and Preparation for Mediation

People who are involved in divorce or child custody proceedings may be ordered to participate in mediation to attempt to resolve the outstanding issues in their cases. When our attorneys provide representation for clients in divorce or custody matters, we will help them prepare for court-mandated or private mediation, and we will represent their interests during the mediation process.

Mediator Monica L. Scherer, Esq.

Monica L. Scherer, senior partner and head of the family law department at Silverman Thompson, is trained as a civil and child custody mediator, and she serves as a mediator for family law matters. As an experienced family law attorney and skilled mediator, Ms. Scherer can help facilitate productive discussions between parties using her knowledge of family law and mediation techniques.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Family Law Mediation Attorneys

At Silverman Thompson, we can provide mediation services to help you negotiate agreements in your family law case, or we can provide you with legal representation as you participate in mediation. Contact our Baltimore divorce and child custody mediation lawyers at 410-385-2225 to set up a consultation.