There are two steps to any family law file. First, agreeing to a deal. Second, writing up the deal. They are two very distinct steps.
Everyone needs a separation agreement. This is the critical document that deals with the rights and obligations of the parties and lays out the roadmap of what needs to be done. Many mediators do not actually prepare separation agreements – (yes, this is surprising to some). Instead, they prepare another documentation e.g. memorandum of understanding or MOU and then the parties have to take this to a lawyer to get a separation agreement drafted.
So, with some mediators this is a two step process – mediate then get it written up. Even worse, a mediator who is not competent to draft, drafts anway and the end product is not good. That is, maybe the agreement in principle is fine but the translation of this into a separation agreement leaves a lot to be desired.
Why not use a mediator who does both steps at the same time – and is familiar with both steps – getting the deal and writing up the deal. If there is an agreement in principle, then the parties will leave mediation with Clayton Law with a professionally drafted separation agreement.