Is Mediation Right for You?
Is there even the slightest chance that you can reach an agreement with your spouse?
Would an experienced divorce lawyer be of assistance in reaching a fair, proper and just agreement on matters such as child and spousal support asset division, custody and visitation.?
Would an experienced therapist be of assistance, perhaps by teaching “fair fighting” techniques to work through any impasses, deadlocks and standstills?
Bypass the inexplicable delays (and attendant costs) of the court system, skip the lines, and complete your divorce without ever entering a courthouse.
GraberRoberts offers mediation services with an array of experienced lawyers, mental health providers and other professionals available as necessary to get you, as a separating couple, "to the finish line”, all at a fixed price so no surprises.
The Legal Process
A divorce is a civil action that is very much an adversarial process. One party will be the “Plaintiff”, the other the “Defendant”; the initial pleadings will include a Complaint, perhaps a responsive Cross-Complaint; the parties and their counsel will be expected/required to perform due diligence (aka “discovery)”. Each step of the process is structured, frequently requiring a filing by one side and a response by the other. With all the different obligations, deadlines, extensions and continuances, it is practically impossible to navigate this system without a competent attorney. The judge is required to decide matters based on laws that are largely unchanged since the 1970’s. Expediency is never a part of the equation
What You Really Need Is a Structured, Transparent Way To Address Your Matter Without the Red Tape of the Adversarial Legal Process.
It is our conviction that each individual is best suited to make important decisions about their own lives, and futures — for themselves and their families. As in any area of life, a decision making process based on inaccurate or insufficient information risks poor results. At GraberRoberts, we believe that TRANSPARENCY OF PROCESS + TRANSPARENCY OF INFORMATION = INFORMED DECISION MAKING. We work to ensure that each party is cognizant of the issues and facts surrounding all major divorce decisions.
Our Unique Divorce Mediation Process
Developed over decades of litigation experiences, our mediation protocol creates an environment of transparency — everyone knows what the next steps are, and why those steps should be taken. We believe that our team approach provides Transparency of Process that creates a safe environment to discuss important and often difficult issues related to transitioning families.
Transparency of Information means that all the cards are on the table — all communications with the mediation team, including any documents exchanged as part of due diligence , are available to all parties.
We are able to combine these principals with our cutting edge technology to offer the entire process at a fixed cost that is usually in line with what the divorcing parties would pay for initial litigation retainers.
We offer a comprehensive process designed to guide you through every step of your divorce with clarity, including a full document inventory and transaction analysis, which, together with the court mandated financial affidavit, provides data to explore various financial solutions for your family.
Throughout the process, legal, mental health and other professionals are available to support and advise, fostering a collaborative and informed environment for decision-making.
With our all-inclusive approach, you receive expert guidance and complete administrative support for a predictable, affordable fee — empowering you to move forward efficiently and securely.
How Does GraberRoberts Mediation Process Address the Problems Presented by Adversarial Litigation?
Our Process is guided by the contours of each situation, not limited to a statutory framework with arbitrary deadlines or rules. We can move as quickly or slowly as each situation requires with the mediation team expanding and contracting as the situation requires to include:
Legal Professionals
Mental Health Professionals
Clergy/Spiritual Advisors
Educational Consultants
Special Needs Consultants
Tax/Accounting Advisors
Real Estate/Business/Asset Valuation Experts
Forensic Specialists (accounting, computer, trust, etc.)
Comparison: Key Questions About Divorce
How long will it take before my divorce is final?
Litigation: Anywhere from 9 to 15 months, unless you need a trial, in which case you are looking at 12-18+ months. This timing does not apply and is expanded by at least 12, possibly 18 additional months in the event of an appeal.
Mediation: Frequently resolved in 2–4 months.
How much will this cost?
Litigation: For cases where neither a prenuptial agreement exists or custody is in dispute, initial retainers for each party can run $7,500–$30,000 or more, with costs escalating through prolonged disputes.
Mediation: You can be completely divorced for around the price of the initial retainers that would be charged to the parties in Litigation.
How much work will I have to miss because of my divorce case?
Litigation: Multiple court appearances and preparation can lead to significant missed work.
Mediation: Flexible scheduling and remote meetings mean minimal disruption to your job.
Might I have to cancel a trip/family event because of my divorce?
Litigation: Court dates and deadlines can conflict with personal plans, often on short notice.
Mediation: Mediation sessions are scheduled around your availability, reducing conflicts.
Is my case private?
Litigation: Court records are public. In financial hearings, financial affidavits are unsealed to the public.
Mediation: Confidential and private. With Connecticut’s passage of the Mediation Act, the privilege has been expanded to the entire Mediation Team. With a mediated agreement, financial affidavits remain sealed to the public.
What Happens if Mediation Doesn’t Work
Sometimes a mediation is not successful (usually because of unreasonableness on one or both sides). What happens to your investment?
Because we adhere to the same discovery and financial affidavit requirements that apply to litigated cases, even in the rare situation that we cannot resolve your divorce you both will have a huge head start on the paperwork that will be required by the Court and your trial counsel including itemized inventory of documents, transaction summary, and financial affidavits.
If you are going to get divorced, and there is even the slimmest of chances you can work it out with your spouse, then opting out of the court system and its unpredictability, high costs, lack of privacy and delays is the smart choice for virtually every family. GraberRoberts is your solution for a complete, thorough and transparent divorce process. You will save time, money, and emotional energy, allowing you to move forward with your life more quickly and with greater control over the outcome.