MEDIATION
Mediation in Maryland
Should I mediate my case to keep it out of Court? Mediation in Maryland is an out-of-court discussion and negotiation that is designed to allow you to determine what is best for your family, rather than have a Judge decide. This is always less expensive than litigation. But it is not always the right tool for the job.
Will mediation work? Mediation is a great thing but it requires the right timing, the right mind set (of both you and your spouse), and the right mediator. Separation and divorce is an emotional journey and just as one or both of you might not be ready to separate, one or both of you may not be ready to settle things. It is emotionally challenging to say “yes” to a term because it feels like you are saying “yes” to letting go/giving up/walking away and you may even feel like you’ve personally failed. That is all normal but it is usually the biggest thing that prevents someone from agreeing to an objectively fair term.
MLO/Mulinazzi Law Office has mediated 100s of cases in various roles. We have trained mediators on staff. All of our attorneys have mediated family-friendly results in their capacity as Best Interests Attorneys for Minor Child and Attorney Mulinazzi is an experienced collaborative divorce attorney. We listen and help each of you listen to what is truly important to each of you and both of you. Our mediators are award-winning attorneys. They are Maryland Super Lawyers and Attorney Thomas Mulinazzi has earned the rank of one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Maryland. All have 10.0 Avvo ratings and MLO/Mulinazzi has won the Top Law Office in all of Maryland as awarded by PBRC and MVLS. In short, we have the experience to help you find the right solution for your family.
There are several reasons people cannot come to an agreement. It takes an intuitive mediator to ask the right questions and it takes empathy and sometimes humor to get each person to allow themselves to come to an agreement.
High Asset/Income Mediation and/or High Conflict Custody Cases: MLO/Mulinazzi Law Office has experience with mediating high asset cases. If your situation involves complex tax issues or business concerns, our mediators partner with professionals in these areas. Likewise, our mediators will work with both of you to get the right professional assistance or input if that helps you both move past a roadblock. Perhaps you need input from a tax professional or child development expert. We fit the mediation process to your needs and the unique facts and circumstances of your family.
Who does the mediator represent? Can I pick the mediator I want? The mediator does not represent either side. You cannot pick the mediator unilaterally. BOTH of you must agree on the mediator and be comfortable with the mediator. When you call MLO/Mulinazzi Law Office at 410-290-6270 to inquire about mediation in Maryland we will direct you to a paralegal or non-mediator attorney to give you basic information. The mediator is neutral and we do not want to give anyone the impression that we are biased in any way. That neutrality begins from the initial call.
Can we Mediate telephonically or via video?
Yes, but … there is not as much of a personal connection over the phone or video. We can and will do it if you both agree to it and with the recent COVID outbreak, many mediators are doing video mediations. Unfortunately, many mediators are not thinking outside the box on this and that may be a bad sign with regard to how much they can help you once you start the mediation process. We will do that if you both think that will be helpful or if it is the only option. Alternatively, we have space indoors to spread out (10+ feet away from each other) and we can and do have meetings outside (away from each other). This allows everyone the advantage of an in person rapport while still being safe.