Salt Lake City Mediation Attorney

Mediation can be an effective way to resolve a family law case. At Ted Weckel, Attorney at Law, our experienced divorce mediation attorney has practiced family law for almost 30 years and will work tirelessly to reach the best resolution for you and your former spouse.

There are many parts to a divorce agreement, including child custody arrangements, property and debt division, and spousal support, among others. Our Salt Lake City divorce mediator is knowledgeable about the many options available in mediation and can help you and your former spouse avoid a long or costly battle in court. Generally, our mediator will help each party move to the middle by understanding each other’s perspectives and needs.

To speak with a knowledgeable divorce mediator in Salt Lake City, call Ted Weckel, Attorney at Law today at (801) 845-9029 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

How Does Mediation Work in Utah?

In Utah, when a couple cannot reach an agreement on all or some issues in their divorce, they will meet with a third-party mediator. This mediator will attempt to guide the two parties through the disputed issues and explore possible options for resolution. The mediator will not offer legal advice, nor will they tell the parties what decision to make.

The former spouses can meet with their mediator together or separately, and they will continue to meet until they can reach an agreement or until it becomes clear that no agreement will be reached. In this situation, the couple will move on to trial, where a judge will make the final decision regarding the disputed issues.

Does Utah Require Divorce Mediation?

Since May of 2005, in any divorce complaint filed which includes contested issues, the two parties must participate in at least one mediation session in good faith. Good faith means that a party attends the mediation and genuinely tries to reach an agreement with the other party. Sometimes, parties can arrive at a partial agreement as to some issues, and then the remaining issues can be decided by a judge at trial.

The Utah State Bar has a program called Utah Dispute Resolution, which is a mediation service that is frequently used by persons of modest income. We have found UDR to be a good source to resolve cases with persons of modest means, or for that matter, any client, regardless of their finances. The mediators at UDR must be certified by the court to serve. They must also have completed a basic mediation course, understand family law, and have a certain number of hours as a mediator before being certified.

Parent-Time Disputes Mediated First

Also, the Third District Court requires the parties to mediate first if they have a dispute over parent-time before the party can bring a contempt action before the court for the other party’s failure to follow a court order.

Call our Salt Lake City divorce attorney, Ted Weckel today at (801) 845-9029 to schedule your consultation with our divorce mediator in Utah.