West Virginia Divorce Mediation Lawyers Help Parties Resolve Disputes Quickly and Cost-Effectively
Experienced counsel saves you time, money and stress
Many West Virginians engaged in family law disputes are discovering the advantages of mediation. Mediation is a process by which a neutral person, the mediator, helps you and the other party work out a legal agreement without the need for a court battle. Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC has two experienced family law mediators to handle all of your divorce and custody mediation needs at competitive rates. Whether you need to develop a parenting plan or modify an existing plan, our experienced family law mediators can assist you and the other parent in working out an agreement without the stress and conflict of a family court trial. We can also assist with property division mediation in divorce cases.
Court-ordered family law mediation in West Virginia
Mediation is becoming a much more frequently used tool in West Virginia family law disputes. The family court system in West Virginia may order mediation when parents cannot agree on shared parenting responsibilities. An exception to the mediation rule is allowed for cases where there is a history of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, substance abuse, mental illness, or a significant power imbalance.
Why you should choose an attorney as your family law mediator
In West Virginia, there is no requirement that a family law mediator be an attorney. That means the person advising you on a settlement of your divorce or other family law issues may have no idea about the legal implications of the agreement. A mediator needs only to meet these minimum requirements set by the family court:
- Have a four-year degree from an accredited college or university
- Complete a 40-hour family mediation course approved by the Supreme Court
- Complete two observations of family court mediations
- Complete three co-mediations with experienced family court mediators
- Carry professional liability insurance
- Agree to complete 12 hours of family court mediator continuing education every two years
So, any college graduate can become a family law mediator in a few short months. Knowing that, you’ll want to have an attorney read the proposed agreement and alert you to potential problems before you sign. Wouldn’t it be much more efficient to have an experienced attorney as your mediator in the first place?
An experienced lawyer can:
- Evaluate your options
- Give unbiased legal advice
- Predict outcomes and costs
- Review agreements
- Prepare court documents
When you hire an attorney as your mediator, you get a more complete package of services, leading to a quicker, more cost-effective outcome.
Contact our Bridgeport law firm for family law mediation services today
If you are considering mediation for a divorce or other family law issue, make sure your mediator is also an experienced family law attorney. Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC has attorney mediators with years of experience helping people just like you. Call us at 304-842-4300 or contact our firm online to schedule a consultation.