Spokane Family Law Mediators

Resolve Disputes with Mediation in Eastern Washington

While many people assume a courtroom is the only place to resolve a legal dispute, most families find that the best solutions are reached long before a trial. Mediation offers a constructive, informal space where you can work through differences on your own terms. 

Instead of leaving life-changing decisions to a judge, you and the other party collaborate with a neutral mediator to find a path forward that actually works for your family. The dedicated team at Allen | Fischer is here to guide you through this process and empower you to take an active, leading role in shaping your future.

Call (509) 262-3024 or message us online to request an in-office or virtual consultation with a Spokane family law mediator. 

Finding Common Ground: How Our Mediators Help

When you choose mediation, you aren't just choosing an alternative to the courtroom; you are choosing to stay in control of the outcome. At Allen | Fischer, our mediators act as neutral guides, providing a safe, structured environment where communication shifts from confrontation to problem-solving.

While strict legal formulas bind a judge, a mediator can help you explore creative, flexible solutions that a court might not have the time or authority to consider. Our role is to ensure that both voices are heard equally and that the final agreement is one that both parties can realistically support.

What the Mediation Process Involves

Mediation can be used to resolve issues ranging from child custody to marital property division or alimony. If you’ve never been through mediation, the idea of sitting down with your spouse or co-parent might feel daunting. However, the process is designed to be informal, private, and less stressful than a public trial.

The Initial Intake

We begin by gathering essential information from both parties. We review the core issues, whether it’s dividing a family business, adjusting child support, or creating a holiday schedule, to set a clear agenda for our sessions.

Setting Ground Rules

At the start of the first session, your mediator will establish ground rules. These are designed to keep the conversation respectful and productive. We focus on interests (what you actually need) rather than positions (what you are demanding), which often opens the door to compromise.

Joint and Private Sessions (Caucusing)

Depending on the level of conflict, mediation may involve:

• Joint sessions. Everyone sits in the same room (or virtual meeting) to discuss issues directly.
• Shuttle mediation. If tensions are high, your mediator can move between separate rooms. This allows each party to speak candidly and vent frustrations without escalating the conflict, while the mediator moves proposals back and forth.

Exploring Options and Brainstorming

Unlike a trial, where each side presents a winner-take-all argument, mediation involves brainstorming. Your mediator will help you look at different "what if" scenarios. For example, “What if we adjusted the residential schedule to accommodate your new work hours in exchange for a different holiday rotation?”

Drafting the Memorandum of Agreement

Once you reach a consensus on some or all issues, your mediator drafts a detailed document outlining the terms. This document can then be reviewed by your respective attorneys and submitted to the court for issuance as a binding legal order.