Mediation
Resolving conflict with loved ones, particularly when relationships are breaking down, makes most people nervous.
Each person’s situation is unique. Though many circumstances appear to be similar, the ability for people to successfully negotiate their personal issues is often impacted by their own mental and emotional well-being, as well as that of their spouse, partner, or parent. In mediation, tools to improve communication weaknesses, styles, and stumbling blocks to facilitate long-term success when reestablishing necessary lines of communication.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a method of dispute resolution, a process of resolving disputes, in a facilitated negotiation by an accepted neutral third party who assists the involved parties in the resolution of the dispute but has limited or no authoritative decision-making power.
Mediation is informal process and usually non-adversarial. It is private, relatively inexpensive and can be done on a timeline that works for the participants. It can be voluntary or court-referred.
One goal of Mediation is to preserve relationships between the parties, particularly in the area of family law. Parties can custom-tailor and design solutions to meet their individual situations. In mediation, creativity and specificity to individual situations, rather than court-imposed remedies often bring better results. The parties may create solutions that a judge could not order but can be ordered if agreed by both parties. By agreement, parties are often able to resolve the issues outside the realm of possible remedies a judge could order them to do or that the law does not provide for.
A Dedicated Advocate
As an attorney mediator, Brigid Duffield’s driving objective and passion is keeping clients out of the court system. Brigid can help pick your settlement path and the information necessary to keep you out of court.
Whether you are in the “I am just beginning to look into it” or the “I think I’m ready to proceed” stage, or if you find yourself facing a difficult family matter and want to know what to do or what not to do, we are here to help.
Brigid is sensitive to the needs of all participants in a family conflict. She understands that frequently the legal, adversarial system destroys relationships between people – the very people the legal system later expects to co-parent, work together, or go on as siblings after the loss of a parent. Helping parties build a “business relationship” to create lines of communication for the future is Brigid’s strong suit.
Brigid was instrumental in the design and implementation of mediation programs throughout the State of Illinois and is an approved trainer of the industry-standard 40-hour mediation course.
Contact our Office
For a consultation with Brigid A. Duffield, P.C., call 630-221-9300 or contact us online. From our offices in Wheaton, Illinois, we serve clients in DuPage County, Kane County, Will County, and Kendall County.
General Information
Practice Areas
Divorce
Parenting Decision Making, & Parenting Time
Child Support & Spousal Support, aka Maintenance
Modification of Orders
Discovery of Assets
Asset Distribution
Real Estate Law
Elder Law Mediation
Clients report the benefits of mediation include:
Control over the process
Active participation by the parties to reach an agreeable solution
Focus on the future and preservation of relationships
More effective communication
Less expensive than litigation
Better long-term results
Reduced conflict and is better for families
Confidentiality