Divorce · Mediation
Settling a divorce without a courtroom battle
In a divorce, emotions run high and decisions feel impossible. Mediation gives you a structured way to make them together.
Support through the mediation process
With 17+ years of practice, Attorney Crothers guides clients through mediation across southeastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee and Waukesha metro areas.
The goal is simple: resolve the real issues without the cost and strain of a trial.
What divorce mediation is
Mediation is a voluntary process. A neutral third party helps you and your spouse reach agreement on the issues in your divorce. If you agree on terms, the mediator helps draft a settlement agreement.
Wisconsin encourages mediation as a way to resolve disputes amicably. It is not mandatory. It works because both sides get to say what actually matters to them.
Is mediation right for us?
-
Mediation suits couples who are willing to work together and can communicate openly.
-
It is usually not a good fit where there is a history of domestic violence, where one party will not participate in good faith, or where there is a significant power imbalance.
-
Even in mediation, having your own attorney matters. We represent your interests throughout the sessions and review anything before you sign it. If mediation turns out not to fit your family, we can take the case to court.
How mediation works in Wisconsin
-
The first session covers the ground rules, the scope of confidentiality and the goals. Spouses may attend together, with or without their attorneys present.
-
The mediator then helps identify what needs resolving: parenting time, custody, child support, property division and spousal maintenance.
-
The process is more flexible than a hearing. You exchange information, propose options and negotiate in a far less adversarial setting. If you reach agreement, the mediator or the attorneys draft a settlement agreement that becomes a court filing.
What mediation can resolve
Mediation commonly settles legal custody, physical placement, holiday schedules, child support, division of marital assets and debts, retirement accounts and spousal maintenance.
It also handles the practical parenting details that court orders often miss: school decisions, medical care, extracurriculars, how you two will communicate, and how you will handle disagreements later.
Why families choose mediation
Private
Sessions are confidential. Your personal matters stay out of the public record.
Cost-effective
Usually less expensive than taking the same issues to court.
Controlled
You have a say in the outcome instead of leaving it to a judge.
Amicable
It lowers hostility, which matters enormously when you will keep co-parenting.
Mediation compared with litigation
-
Litigation means motions, discovery, court appearances and sometimes a trial where a judge makes the final call.
-
Mediation is usually less formal, less expensive and faster. It gives you privacy and control, and it preserves communication, which is a real benefit when children are involved.
-
Every family is different. If you are both open to negotiating, mediation is a strong choice. Litigation is the better route for high-conflict cases and any matter involving domestic or family violence.
Let us guide you through mediation
Call 414-519-6255 or send a message to schedule a free, private consultation.