Denver Divorce Mediation Attorneys

Why Choose Johnson Law Group for Your Mediation?

• Sophisticated Mediation Strategy with Personal Care: Unlike firms that treat mediation as a one-size-fits-all process, we bring big-firm expertise in complex financial matters, high-conflict situations, and multi-jurisdictional issues, combined with the individualized attention that ensures your unique concerns are addressed.
• Proven Track Record in Complex Cases: Our team has successfully mediated high-asset divorces, interstate custody disputes, and cases involving business valuations—drawing on Shannon O'Keefe's IRS experience for financial complexities and our collective judicial and government backgrounds for procedural expertise.
• The "Overboard" Advantage: As the author of "Overboard: How to Avoid Sinking in Your Colorado Family Law Case," Myles Johnson brings proven strategies specifically designed to help clients maintain control and perspective during mediation, avoiding the common pitfalls that derail settlements.
• Integrated Legal Solutions: When your divorce involves criminal allegations, immigration concerns, or business complications, our multi-practice expertise means potential settlement obstacles are identified and addressed early, rather than becoming last-minute deal-breakers.

HOW DIVORCE MEDIATION WORKS

Forms of mediation differ slightly from state to state, but in all jurisdictions, an impartial third party, the mediator, meets with the spouses to work out a voluntary agreement. Over the course of several sessions, the mediator listens to the spouses, assesses the issues before them, and guides them toward a mutually acceptable resolution. However, the mediator cannot impose an agreement on the couple. If mediation fails, unresolved issues are held for trial.

Mediation offers many practical benefits beyond cost savings. It promotes open communication and cooperation between spouses, which can be particularly important when children are involved. By choosing mediation, divorcing couples often preserve a more amicable relationship, which is beneficial for co-parenting.

• Our Strategic Preparation Process: Our role is to prepare each client comprehensively, ensuring they understand the process and potential outcomes. Drawing from our extensive courtroom experience and judicial backgrounds, we help you anticipate likely settlement ranges and identify your strongest negotiating positions before you enter the mediation room. Every session is structured to support discussion and negotiation, minimizing conflict wherever possible.
• Multi-State Mediation Capability: For families with assets or custody concerns across state lines, our licensed presence in Colorado, Illinois, Florida, and Wyoming allows us to navigate the jurisdictional complexities that often complicate interstate mediations—ensuring your settlement is enforceable regardless of where family members relocate.

Common Misconceptions About Mediation

Many individuals enter mediation with misconceptions that can hinder the process. One frequent misunderstanding is that a mediator will provide legal advice. In reality, mediators facilitate communication but do not counsel or advocate for either party. This is why having an attorney with sophisticated mediation experience is crucial—they can provide the legal insights necessary to make informed decisions about complex financial arrangements, tax implications, and long-term consequences.

Another misconception is that mediation is only suitable for amicable divorces. In fact, mediation can be especially beneficial in contentious cases, particularly those involving high-conflict personalities or complex asset division. Our team's experience with high-stakes family law matters means we know how to structure mediation sessions that keep discussions productive even when emotions run high. By focusing on solutions rather than conflict, mediation encourages positive communication and can lead to a more satisfactory resolution for both parties.

The "Simple Divorce" Myth: Many couples assume that mediation is only for "simple" divorces. However, our experience shows that mediation can be particularly valuable for complex cases involving:

• High-net-worth asset division requiring sophisticated financial analysis
• Business valuation and ownership disputes
• Interstate custody arrangements
• Cases where one spouse has significant government benefits or pension complications

Our team's diverse backgrounds—from IRS experience to judicial clerkships—ensure that complex issues are properly addressed during mediation rather than becoming post-settlement problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Mediation Different From Court Litigation?

Mediation differs from traditional court litigation in several key ways. Unlike litigation, which is adversarial and public, mediation is a private process that encourages cooperative problem-solving. This setting can foster better communication between parties, leading to more creative and personalized solutions. Additionally, mediation is typically quicker and less expensive than court proceedings. It also gives the parties more control over the outcomes, as they are directly involved in the decision-making process, rather than leaving it entirely up to a judge.

The Johnson Law Group Difference in Mediation: Our attorneys bring courtroom litigation experience to the mediation table, which means we can accurately assess the likely outcomes of contested issues if mediation fails. This "shadow of the law" knowledge helps clients make informed decisions about settlement offers and strengthens their negotiating position.

How Long Does the Mediation Process Take?

The duration of the mediation process can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the issues and the willingness of the parties to cooperate. On average, mediation may take anywhere from a few sessions over a month to several months for more complicated cases. The flexibility of mediation allows sessions to be scheduled according to the availability of all involved parties, which can expedite the process compared to court dockets.

At Johnson Law Group, we work efficiently to move through mediation as quickly as possible while ensuring all parties feel heard and understood. Our strategic preparation process—informed by our "Overboard" methodology—often reduces the number of sessions needed by helping clients identify their true priorities and realistic settlement parameters before mediation begins.

Is Mediation Legally Binding in Colorado?

In Colorado, the outcomes of mediation can be legally binding once an agreement is reached and both parties sign it. The final agreement, called a Memorandum of Understanding, can then be presented to the court for approval. This document outlines the terms agreed upon during mediation sessions.

It's crucial to have legal counsel with sophisticated drafting experience review these agreements before they are finalized, to ensure that they align with your rights and intentions and will be enforceable in the future. With the help of Johnson Law Group, you can trust that your mediation agreements will be thorough, fair, and constructed with your best interests in mind—drawing on our team's judicial, government, and complex litigation experience to anticipate and prevent future disputes.

Can Mediation Work for High-Asset or Complex Financial Divorces?

Absolutely. In fact, mediation can be particularly beneficial for high-asset divorces because it allows for creative solutions that courts might not order. Our team's sophisticated financial background—including Shannon O'Keefe's IRS experience and our collective experience with complex business valuations—ensures that tax implications, asset protection strategies, and long-term financial consequences are properly considered during settlement discussions.

Unlike mediators without extensive family law and financial backgrounds, we can identify potential issues with proposed settlements that might create problems years down the road, helping you avoid costly post-judgment modifications.

What About Interstate Custody and Support Issues?

This is where Johnson Law Group's multi-state presence becomes a significant advantage. Interstate custody and support issues involve complex jurisdictional questions that many local firms cannot adequately address. Our licensed presence in multiple states and proven track record with high-profile multi-state cases means we can mediate agreements that will be enforceable regardless of future relocations—a critical consideration for mobile families.