Divorce and Family Mediation

Contemplating divorce?  Are you in the middle of a divorce?  Do you want to re-negotiate the terms of your divorce?  Mediation is an excellent way to ensure a more positive outcome.  Through mediation, you are more likely to reduce the emotional pain and financial costs of going to court. 

IMA mediator, Kate Otting, provides high-quality mediation services and a unique approach, relying on more than 15 years of experience in the field.


Why choose mediation?
Mediation works. Nationally, people in mediation reach agreements 80-90% of the time. Research shows that couples that mediate their divorce are more likely to be satisfied with the process than those who go through the court system.

The main advantage of mediation is that you and your spouse keep control of your own divorce. That can make all the difference in your recovering from your divorce and moving on with your life. Because mediation is all about working with shared knowledge, the time you spend working on an agreement is shorter and the cost is shared, meaning fewer emotional and financial strains on your family.

Mediation is likely to take less time, involve less pressure and cost less money than going to court.  Furthermore, couples are less likely to go back to court later to fight about something, because you – not a judge – determined what is in the final documents which will ultimately be filed in court.

Benefits of mediation:
  • You and your spouse will work cooperatively, avoiding a lengthy legal contest.
  • Create your own agreement – which research shows people are most likely to uphold (versus those created in court under a judge’s orders)
  • Avoid the unpleasant surprises that arise in court.
  • You set the pace, avoiding court delays and high-pressure deadlines.
  • Privacy and confidentiality are highly guarded throughout the process.
  • Because mediation is focused on the future, it is solution-oriented.
  • Your children will benefit because you and your spouse will design a parenting plan that works for your changing family.
  • You will have the opportunity to complete your emotional and legal divorce at the same time. This will decrease the tension and enable you to work together as parents.
  • You will most likely save time and money.
  • You will get your “day in court,” a chance to be heard, but in a private and non-threatening environment.



Our Unique Approach to Mediation
Interaction Management Associates approaches divorce and family mediation with one thing in mind: your best interests. 

Kate Otting is committed to helping couples achieve ideal resolutions that fit their unique needs.  No two families are alike, so it we approach each situation with this in mind. 

Kate will work at your pace and take into account issues that matter to each of you, while also helping you stay on track toward a viable and lasting solution. 

She aims not only to help you resolve any matters that may need to be entered into court documents, but also any interpersonal, communication and other practical matters that will help you set a prescedent for your future.

Furthermore, Kate is committed to helping you get the most for your invesment.  That means free offers, maximum use of time well-spent in mediation and a whole lot of information about what you can do between sessions to stay on track.

We offer a free consultation.  PLUS: we provide a FREE KIT to answer frequently asked questions and a comprehensive checklist to help get you started.  THERE'S MORE: we offer free seminars.    

We offer a positive, affordable alternative to the often adversarial and divisive experiences you could face in court.  We can help you work through critical decisions such as divorce, separation, marital agreements, domestic partnerships, child custody, parenting plans, child support, spousal maintenance.

Call us at 480.656.8340 or reach us online to request your free consultation today. 


Frequently Asked Questions
What are my chances of coming out ahead?
In mediation, your family wins. Mediation is about taking matters into your own hands, working at a pace that works for you and staying within your financial and emotional means. It builds a foundation for constructive communication in relationships that are changing.

How does it work?
Kate will sit down with you and your spouse and listen to your respective concerns and needs. With the help of the mediation team, one male and one female, you work through all the issues necessary to reach agreements that meet your needs and satisfy court requirements.

Unlike resolving matters through the court system, mediation is flexible, confidential and the process moves at your pace. We give you and your spouse a way to reach agreements that will help you transition to a new relationship together as individuals and co-parents after your divorce or separation.

How much does it cost?
Our hourly rate is $250 per couple.  You may split the charges between you as you choose. We do not require a retainer for clients who are pro per (without attorneys). 

Do you give a free consultation?
We offer a free consultation as way for you to get to know Kate, your mediator, as well as understand the mediation process. (If you have an attorney, click here.)  We have three options to meet your needs:

  • Save $125 and receive 30 minutes free: To receive this, you will make an appointment for both of you to meet in our office together for at least two hours and receive 30 minutes at no charge.  (You only pay for 1.5 hours of a 2-hour session.)
  • Save $250 and receive 60 minutes free: We schedule a phone consultation with each of you individually at  no charge.  This is convenient for individuals with busy schedules or for those who aren’t decided yet about mediation.  Sometimes the anonymity of a phone call makes it easier to discuss matters in the intial consultation.
  • Save $250 and receive 60 minutes free: We make an appointment for both of you to meet in my office for at least four hours and receive 60 minutes are at no charge.  (You pay for 3 hours and receive a 4-hour session.) This option works well when you have made quite a few decisions already or you have quite a bit of information you would like to resolve immediately.  Sorry, no refunds if the full session is not used.

What does the mediator actually do?
Kate will point out, in open sessions to both spouses, things that each of them should know as well as her own observations about their interactions, obstacles and opportunities for resolution. That open exchange of information frees up both spouses to negotiate with each other in confidence. Because both spouses are working with the same information at the same time, it usually takes far less time to negotiate a resolution that makes sense to both of you.

Kate is committed to remaining neutral. That means she will not give legal or financial advice to either party or act as lawyers for either party.  She will advise parties with respect to their negotiation process and help keep them focused on a brighter future.

How do we get legal advice?
Some people will persuade you to “get a good lawyer” so you can win in court. Kate will encourage you to have the support of your lawyer to advise you and review your decisions, but the final results will be in your hands, not that of a judge. You will be encouraged to use your lawyer as an advisor between sessions. Your lawyer will review all documents before you sign or file anything in court. He or she will not, however, be required to sit with you in mediation.

What if we change our minds about mediation?
Mediation is voluntary. It continues only for so long as you and your spouse want it to.  Kate understands that this may be one of the most stressful times in your lives and that the decisions you are making should not be taken lightly.  You will never be under pressure from the IMA to continue the process if either of you is uncomfortable with moving forward. 

You or your spouse can withdraw from mediation at any time, for any reason.  Or, if you decide to remain together and wish to negotiate terms of a marital agreement or a domestic partnership, we are prepared to assist you.




FREE SEMINARS FOR ANYONE FACING DIVORCE
We are part of the East Valley Divorce Eduation Network which provides regular, free educational seminars for anyone facing the possibility of divorce.  Our aim through these seminars is to help individuals begin to make rational decisions through what can be a very emotional process.

Topics discussed in the seminar:   

·Child custody and spousal support issues 
·Property and asset protection
·Real estate and mortgage considerations
·Credit management
·Avoiding costly litigation

Anyone who attends this free seminar will receive a free planning questionnaire to help determine the missing pieces needed to create a step-by-step plan toward a more secure future.  To register, click here: EDEN Seminar




DIVORCE/FAMILY MEDIATION TRAINING
Mediators who wish to learn how to mediate divorce and family cases should visit our Training Catalog.  We provide you with the latest skills-based education and training. 

















































Exception: For parties who have retained attorneys, we are unable to provide a free consultation.  We are able to provide up to 30 minutes over the phone or via email with attorneys before the first mediation session.