9 Things a Family Law Mediator Can Help

by | Nov 25, 2021 | Divorce, Mediation

Family law mediator is the process by which parties in a family law case attempt to reach their own agreement with the help of an impartial mediator, usually without the aid of lawyers. The goal of mediation is for each party to be satisfied that an equitable settlement has been reached. Depending on where one lives, there may be financial assistance for this process, sometimes known as “court-connected mediation.” Family law mediation may involve many different scenarios that can range from family disputes over property and assets to personal matters, such as parenting disputes or family violence prevention orders. Family law mediators have a degree of legal training that makes them useful in family law disputes. They should be knowledgeable about family law and should be understanding, patient, and impartial. If you are interested in learning more about what services a family law mediator may offer, read on to learn more. And if you are looking for San Ramon mediation, Whipple Mercado and Associates is here to help you! You can find our contact information below.

What a Family Law Mediator Can Do for You:

Family law mediators are able to assist in the identification, negotiation and settlement of family disputes.

– Family mediation can be useful in resolving family disputes before they escalate into family law proceedings.

-Mediators can help people who are involved in family violence situations by allowing them to be heard with empathy and respect.

-Mediators open a process to enable family members to listen and be heard, rather than having family law issues decided for them by someone else, such as a court or judge.

– Family law mediators can provide family members with strategies to communicate more effectively

– Family law mediators are impartial and independent of all the family members they are mediating.

– A family mediator can help with parenting disputes after separation, family violence issues, and property and assets disputes after separation.

-Family mediation assists people who are worried about privacy issues to have their family matters heard outside of family courts. This means that family members can discuss their grievances with each other in a confidential way

-Family law mediators do not give any legal advice during the family mediation process.

With the help of a neutral party, families are able to voice their opinions on their issues without fear of judgment or criticism. The mediator does not take sides; instead, he or she will assist each side in finding common ground. This empowers families to make decisions for themselves without having outside influence clouding their judgment. Mediators are trained to help families reach an equitable agreement so everyone can move on with their lives, largely free of bad feelings.

Are You Ready for Mediation?

If you are struggling with a family dispute, it can be beneficial to speak with a mediator specializing in family law. Contact Whipple & Mercado today for more information or assistance. Our team can answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on navigating through this tough time in life. Call us at  (925) 344-5050

Tammy J. Mercado

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired results. She listens and she personally and promptly responds to your texts, emails and phone calls. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you with sound advice and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keeping attorney fees as low as possible. You can be sure that she will offer you straightforward, sound and honest advice in a professional manner, with integrity and excellence.

Before opening her own law practice, Tammy worked for many high-volume law firms. This gave her extensive, diversified experience in hundreds of complex family law cases as well as civil matters. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Tammy is also a member of the Rotary Club of Danville.

Tammy is a graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is also a licensed real estate broker, which comes in handy for valuing property in family law cases as well as real estate matters in the civil arena.

During her off time, Tammy is an avid sailor who crews and races on various boats in the San Francisco Bay. Tammy approaches each case as she would any yacht race: by assessing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, experience, equipment, history and reputation. She is a member of the American Sailing Association, and she is a certified Coast Guard Auxiliary member.

HONORS AND AWARDS
Tammy was selected to receive the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” Award in 2017 for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is currently serving as Danville Rotary President for 2017 through 2019.

Mary C. Whipple, CFLS

Mary C. Whipple opened her first law practice in the summer of 2008. She previously was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements and domestic-violence restraining orders. Certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, she is a specialist in the area of family law. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract and employment disputes, to name a few.

Mary also previously worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny & Meyers in San Francisco while simultaneously volunteering at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, representing defendants in unlawful detainer actions. The program acknowledged Mary with an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award in 2006 for her efforts in providing access to justice.

A seventh-generation Californian, Mary is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in criminology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

In addition, Mary is active in her community as a member of the Ambassador’s Committee for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce; a volunteer at the Contra Costa County and Alameda County Superior Courts, where she assists self-represented litigants in completing their divorces; and a member of Divorce Angel, where she provides information regarding family law matters to members of the community. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer judge for Alameda and Contra Costa County’s Annual High School Moot Court Competition. She is also a member of the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club. She was awarded the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year; and a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership San Ramon Valley.

CERTIFIED LEGAL SPECIALTIES
Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization