(602) 852-5565
info@arizonamediation.com
Mediation Experts in Phoenix, AZ

Welcome to Arizona Mediation Institute

Our team at Arizona Mediation Institute is committed to providing exceptional mediation services in Phoenix, AZ. With our expertise and compassionate approach, we strive to create a supportive and understanding environment for all parties involved. Trust us to guide you through the mediation process and help you reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Our Services

With a commitment to personalized attention and efficient documentation, our team ensures a smooth and comfortable mediation experience. Our mediators excel in resolving a wide range of family law disputes, including complex property division and discovery challenges. In addition to our mediation expertise, we offer private arbitration for timely and efficient resolution of family law matters.

MEDIATION

Arizona Mediation Institute and its services are in high demand due to the commitment of its mediators to provide an unparalleled mediation experience. Arizona Mediation Institute is comprised of knowledgeable attorneys who are dedicated to assisting every couple in reaching a quality agreement that proves itself to be durable and doable. Those who work with Arizona Mediation Institute receive one-on-one attention throughout the process and documentation that is prepared correctly and efficiently.

Arizona Mediation Institute’s offices are uniquely tailored to create intimate mediations in a comfortable setting. Whether a mediation includes one couple, attorneys or experts, our suites are designed to accommodate large or small mediations or arbitrations.

FAMILY LAW MASTER

The mediators at Arizona Mediation Institute are frequently selected by their peers to serve as Rule 72 Family Law Masters. The Family Law Master is appointed by the court to serve as a form of private judge in family law disputes, ranging from legal decision-making issues to property and income issues. Mediators at Arizona Mediation have also been chosen to serve as Family Law Masters in complicated discovery disputes as well as in specialized areas of property division such as business valuation. As the court system becomes busier and more difficult to access, Family Law Masters are an ever more popular option. The level of experience and training in family law represented at Arizona Mediation Institute makes it a natural for this role.

ARBITRATION

Private arbitration of family law matters is a relatively new phenomenon in Arizona. With the added pressure on family law judges to resolve disputes in a timely and efficient manner and the increase in divorce and divorce-related issues, including post-decree problems, the selection of private arbitrators is increasing. The professionals at Arizona Mediation Institute provide the perfect pool of experienced and well trained mediators and arbitrators to take on this new role. Judith Wolf has served as an arbitrator in numerous commercial matters, including for the National Association of Securities Dealers, for over twenty years. Due to this unique combination of experience and training, Judith and the other professionals at Arizona Mediation Institute are being chosen to arbitrate family law matters in lieu of a court scheduled trial. Arbitration can be arranged at the convenience of the attorneys and litigants. Arbitration hearings are conducted in our beautiful conference spaces in a relaxed environment that is both business-like and user friendly. Parties involved in private arbitration report much greater satisfaction with the process and the result than those in a court-based venue.

CONSULTATION ON MEDIATION

Mediators from Arizona Mediation are also available to consult with attorneys to assist them and their clients in preparing for an important mediation. Although the consulting mediator may be quickly briefed on the legal claims in the matter, the assistance provided by our experienced mediators is in analyzing and structuring a strategic approach for the upcoming mediation. Judith Wolf has trained lawyers throughout the country in the theoretical foundations for preparing to mediate. That expertise is now being applied to real cases with Arizona lawyers. As part of a team of lawyers, clients, and experts, a mediation consultant can help shape the approach to fit the lawsuit, the chosen mediator and the other personalities involved.

Partners

Judy

Andi

Aris

Steven

Jared

About Us

Arizona Mediation Institute offers an unparalleled mediation experience.

Our mission is to accommodate your needs by conducting negotiations in a welcoming space, with the assistance of seasoned mediation professionals leading the way to successful, lasting agreements.

Judy, Andi, Aris, Steven, and Jared have well over 100 years of combined experience in family law. They have worked with people experiencing the stresses of a life-changing occurrence and because of their educational backgrounds and compassionate approaches, they have helped hundreds of people reach agreements about their children and their assets.

The process

Mediation is a voluntary negotiation process. The goal is to bring parties together to resolve issues with the guidance of a neutral third-party or mediator.

Mediation participants may meet with their mediator in joint session together. Alternatively, the parties may meet separately with the mediator in a caucus format.

For parties participating in mediation there is no requirement to appear in court at any time during the process. The mediators at Arizona Mediation Institute will prepare any necessary documents for the court.

FIRST SESSION – DIVORCE / LEGAL SEPARATION MEDIATION
At the first mediation session the couple and the mediator will review the assets and debts and discuss income and expenses. The mediator will also explain the legal procedure including timing, cost, and the legal documents to be prepared and filed with the court. After the first session, the mediator will prepare the necessary legal documents to start the divorce or legal separation process. Once you have reviewed, approved, and signed the documents, they will be filed with the court.

In cases involving minor children, the mediator will discuss legal decision-making and the various parenting time options available. The children’s expenses and child support will also be discussed.

AGREEMENTS
During the course of negotiations and with the assistance of the mediator the parties will reach agreements on the following:

  • Value of Assets
  • Division of Property
  • Allocation of Debt
  • Allocation of taxes/filings
  • Spousal Maintenance
  • Child Support and Children’s Expenses
  • Parenting Time and Decision-Making
LEGAL DOCUMENTS
As agreements are reached your mediator will begin preparing the legal documents necessary to finalize the divorce/legal separation, including:

  • Property Settlement Agreement/Marital Settlement Agreement
  • Parenting Plan
  • Consent Decree of Dissolution/Legal Separation
  • Child Support Documents
PROCESS PARTNERS
The mediation process may involve the participation of the following professionals:

  • Attorneys for the parties
  • Certified Public Accountants
  • Financial Planners
  • Pension Experts
  • Valuation Experts
  • Real Estate Appraisers
  • Psychologists
  • Counselors
GETTING STARTED
Before your first mediation session, download our Client Intake Sheet and review the Mediation Agreement. Bring along the completed and signed forms with you to your first mediation session.

In order to make your first divorce mediation session more productive, the following is a list of documents you can collect, photocopy and bring with you to the first meeting.

  1. Bank Account Information (names of banking institutions, type of accounts, account numbers and account values)
  2. Retirement Account Information (401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, Pension plans (name of institution, type of retirement account, account numbers and account values)
  3. Stock and Stock Option Information (vested and unvested)
  4. Real Property (address, value (if available) and mortgages or liens)
  5. Real Estate Appraisals (if any)
  6. Business or Professional Practice Valuations (if any)
  7. Vehicle Information (year, make, model, mileage, loans)
  8. List of debts/liabilities (mortgages, lines of credit, personal loans, credit card debt)
  9. Life Insurance Information (provider, policy number, term or whole life, whole life values, death benefit and beneficiary)
  10. Most recent tax return (mediator may request additional tax returns)
  11. Current pay stubs for both parties
  12. Cost of monthly medical insurance premium for just the minor child/children

The absence of any of these documents or this information will not prevent you from participating in the first mediation session. The meeting can be productive without the information.

If you have any questions regarding the first mediation session or the documentation listed above, we encourage you to email us and we will be happy to assist you.

OTHER TYPES OF MEDIATION
We also conduct mediations for parties in paternity actions, parenting time modifications, child support modifications, spousal maintenance modifications, grandparent visitation, third party legal decision-making/visitation (in loco parentis), prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and any other family matter.

Why Mediation

Mediation is an important tool used in a growing number of legal cases, for all types of litigation. Mediation reduces stress on the parties and on the court system, and allows parties to settle differences with a mediator in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

FAMILY MEDIATION

Mediation is an effective – and often, less stressful – dispute resolution option for divorce and family-related issues. The family mediation process allows you to craft a settlement framework personalized to your unique needs. Mediation participants achieve mutual objectives by working with expert, neutral, third-party facilitators — or mediators — in a non-adversarial environment.

THE PRACTICALITY OF MEDIATION

Litigation can be a lengthy and costly process. Both emotionally and financially, court proceedings take their toll on families. Divorce cases can linger for 12 to 24 months before reaching the court for a decision, costing more than $50,000 in legal fees. Many cases return to court after the parties find the ruling unsatisfactory.

Mediation presents a much different and more positive scenario.

Generally, mediation results in a resolution in an average of just three to four months.

Industry research indicates couples who have used mediation are more likely to:

  • Reach voluntary agreements
  • Generate comprehensive agreements more personalized to their objectives
  • Find the process more fair and more sensitive to their needs
  • Abide by the agreements they have reached
  • Return to court less often

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is mediation?
A system in which a neutral third party (mediator) facilitates a voluntary negotiation process between the parties or litigants. The mediator assists the parties in reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement, but does not make any decisions regarding the settlement. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator has no authority to render a decision or force either party to accept a settlement. Yet, the training and ability of a professional mediator can help achieve a final settlement which would not otherwise be possible.
WHAT IS THE MEDIATOR’S ROLE?
Accomplished mediators are able to focus on the real concerns of the parties and not merely one person’s view or position.

The role of the mediator is to help the parties:

  • Determine whether mediation is appropriate
  • Assess the capacity of the parties to negotiate their interests effectively
  • Design the mediation process
  • Guide the setting of agreed-upon ground rules
  • Conduct the mediation process impartially

During mediation, parties are encouraged to discuss their concerns, interests, issues and options in order to contribute to elements of settlement and settlement implementation. A good mediator helps the parties manage their emotions and maintain dignity throughout the entire process.

It is not the role of the mediator to serve as an expert on the specific matters in dispute or to propose a settlement. However, a mediator can prove useful to the parties in identifying areas they may wish to explore in crafting settlement options. The parties retain ownership and control of their issues and of the responsibility for resolving them with the assistance of a mediator.

What are the benefits of mediation?
  1. Settlement of disputes in a timely manner. You are in control of how long the process takes. Almost every case will settle prior to trial. Therefore, the real issue is not if a case will settle, but when. Mediation can focus settlement negotiations, simplify correspondence and the exchange of documents and allow agreements to be reached more quickly.
  2. Cost. An early settlement saves litigation expenses and other costs related to managing the dispute. Arizona Mediation Institute bills at an hourly rate and does not require a retainer.
  3. Maintain Control. Mediation differs from arbitration or trial because the mediator does not make a decision or force any party to accept a settlement. When you agree to mediate a dispute, you are agreeing to attend the mediation session and participate in a good faith effort to settle the matter. Consequently, you are always in full control of the outcome.
  4. Mediation Is Confidential. Unlike court proceedings, all mediation sessions are confidential. Therefore, any negotiations during the mediation sessions do not become part of the public record.
  5. Preserve continuing relationships. Mediation is particularly useful in situations where the parties will be working together after the dispute is resolved, as is true of parents or business partners.
  6. Preparation of legal documentation. Arizona Mediation Institute will prepare your documents to begin and finalize your divorce, or amend your finalized divorce. Arizona Mediation Institute will also memorialize your ongoing negotiations with a binding agreement.

Our Space

From the moment you enter the offices of Arizona Mediation Institute, you will feel you have stepped into a welcoming environment.

Arizona Mediation Institute provides a space that is both private and light infused. We have worked to create an office that is not overly corporate or intimidating, but very professional and conducive to clients and the professionals they may choose to involve in the process.

You will find a conference room equipped for arbitration hearings as well as mediation and client meetings. You may also attend a mediation in one of our intimate caucus rooms.

Clients and professionals have told us that mediating in a cramped, stuffy, and overly constricted environment affects their comfort level and may even influence the outcome of the process. Through our unique and pleasant offices, we have sought to put together a space for discussion, conciliation and resolution. We believe we have achieved our goal.