Mediation Services
Navigating Family Disputes
Anderson Law, P.C., located in Libertyville, IL, offers professional mediation services to help families navigate through challenging disputes. Karissa Anderson is an experienced mediator who understand the sensitivity and emotional dynamics involved in family conflicts, and our goal is to guide parties toward peaceful resolutions. With a focus on open communication, respect, and collaboration, our mediation services provide a confidential and neutral environment where all parties can discuss their concerns and work towards mutually beneficial agreements.
We are experienced in all areas of family law.
What is Mediation?
Mediation provides a non-confrontational environment that emphasizes solutions over positions, fostering a future-focused approach. The goal of mediation is to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes through open communication and collaboration.
What is a Mediator’s Role?
The role of the mediator is that of an impartial third party who has no vested interest in any specific outcome. While the mediator does not provide legal advice, they assist the disputing parties in discussing and resolving their differences. The mediator’s role is that of an unbiased facilitator and not that of an attorney, therapist, or financial advisor. It’s important to note that the mediator does not guarantee any particular outcome or resolution of the issues raised during the mediation process.
Why Retain the Services of a Mediator?
- Share your needs and the reasoning behind your situation and feelings
- Focus on the priorities for your family’s future
- Take the time to make voluntary decisions instead of leaving them to a judge
- Develop creative solutions to meet your family’s specific needs
- Tailor the process to meet both parties where they are, rather than following a predefined outline
- Foster open lines of communication, as ongoing communication may be necessary after the case
- Establish expectations of the other parent, as relying solely on lawyers to communicate and make decisions may lead to uncertainty about how to implement the agreement
What Items Can be Mediated?
- Anything
- Decision-making process for school, extracurricular activities, medical issues
- Parenting time
- Holiday parenting time
- Division of assets and debts
Interested in mediation services from Anderson Law, P.C.? Fill out our intake form!
Prepare for Your Mediation Session With Our Mediation Checklist
What to do Before Your Session
- Consider your goals for the session and your divorce:
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- Evaluate both short-term and long-term possibilities.
- Take into account what is realistic given your circumstances, finances, and the law.
- Examine whether any goals are solely rooted in emotions.
- Brainstorm potential solutions to meet your goals.
- Create a list of topics you would like to discuss during mediation:
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- Ensure that the topics relate to your goals.
- Do not limit the topics to only significant matters.
- Review and securely save recent financial statements such as bank accounts, credit card statements, and retirement plans.
- Review and securely save two recent pay stubs.
- Prepare a preliminary list of your financial accounts and assets.
- Familiarize yourself with legal terms that may arise during mediation.
- If you require assistance with steps 1 to 7, consult with a divorce professional before your first mediation session.
- Revisit and complete any remaining paperwork, such as the mediator intake form.
- Submit the payment to the mediator.
Please Bring to Your Session
- Your list of topics
- Your list of financial accounts and assets
- Copies of statements and income information
- Water, coffee, or other beverages
- An open mind to consider topics, proposals, and possible solutions raised in mediation
After Your Session
- Take a deep breath
- Review any notes you took
- Review summary from mediator
- Compare agreements reached to your goals
- Review agreements reached with a divorce professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mediation involve?
Mediation is a confidential, non‑confrontational process led by an impartial mediator. We facilitate open communication, helping both sides discuss sensitive issues—like parenting time, medical decisions, and asset division—in a respectful environment. While we don’t provide legal advice during mediation, our goal is to help you collaborate with the other party and tailor creative solutions that work for your family’s specific needs.
Why should we choose mediation instead of going to court?
Mediation offers numerous benefits over litigation:
- You make voluntary decisions rather than leaving them to a judge.
- It’s usually more cost-effective and quicker.
- It fosters open communication—essential if ongoing interaction is needed after the case.
- It allows you to create customized solutions that fit your family.
How should we prepare for a mediation session?
To get the most from mediation, we ask that you:
- Clarify your goals—both short- and long-term.
- Make a list of topics to discuss.
- Gather relevant financial documents (e.g., bank statements, pay stubs).
- Inventory your assets and debts.
- Familiarize yourself with basic legal terms.
- Submit intake paperwork and payment in advance.
- Bring an open mind, your documentation, and anything else relevant to the discussions.
What happens after the mediation?
Post-session, you’ll:
- Review your session notes and any summary provided.
- Compare proposed agreements to your goals.
- Consult with a divorce professional (if desired) to review the mediation summary.
- If an agreement is reached, the mediator will draft it, and it can be submitted to the court for formalization.
How do fees for mediation compare to litigation?
Mediation is typically much more affordable than full litigation. While litigation can cost tens of thousands per party, mediation usually costs less because:
- You share the fees.
- The process is quicker.
- Fewer hours are billed.
We’ll review all fees upfront during your initial consultation.
Can mediation handle post-divorce disputes?
Yes—mediation works for post-decree issues like parenting time modifications, enforcement of orders, or asset disagreements. Karissa also assists with limited scope representation if you need targeted legal help.
Who acts as the mediator, and what is their role?
At Anderson Law, P.C., our mediator, Karissa Anderson—a certified mediator—serves as a neutral third party. She guides the discussion, identifies key issues, and fosters cooperation, but she does not make decisions, give legal advice, or act as an attorney or therapist.
What kinds of issues can be resolved during mediation?
We can address a wide range of issues, including:
- School, extracurricular, and medical decision-making
- Parenting time and holiday schedules
- Division of assets and debts
Our process is flexible—if there’s a family-related issue not listed here, bring it to the mediation session.
What should I bring to my session?
Bring:
- Your list of discussion topics
- Financial account lists and documentation
- Income information (e.g., pay stubs)
- Copies of statements
- Water or beverages
- Openness to consider proposals and explore solutions together
Is your mediation voluntary or court-ordered?
We offer both voluntary mediation and court-appointed mediation services. If your case is court-referred, we can comply with court requirements while still providing a collaborative process.
Do you offer virtual mediation sessions?
We accommodate both voluntary and court-appointed mediation. Many courts allow or require remote sessions—call us to confirm your situation and arrange accordingly.
How long does the mediation process take?
The number of sessions depends on your specific issues. Simple cases might resolve in 1–3 sessions, while more complex matters could require more. We’ll discuss your expected timeline and session frequency during the initial consultation.
Contact Us
Phone: 847-336-7373
Inquiries Email: KarissaAndersonLaw@gmail.com
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Other Hours by Appointment
*Proudly Serving Clients from Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Wauconda, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Antioch, Round Lake, North Chicago, Barrington, Lake Villa, Wadsworth, Volo, Bannockburn, Mundelein, Hawthorn Woods, Grayslake, Buffalo Grove & Lake County Communities.