I Have a Mediation Next Week, but I don’t Have an Attorney. What Should I Do?

So, you have mediation next week (or tomorrow) and you don’t have an attorney. Heck, you have mediation next week and you don’t even know what mediation is or how it works. Don’t worry. This happens more often than you think.

You can deal with this in a couple ways: (1) attend mediation alone, (2) hire an attorney to go with you. People usually choose option (1) because they don’t have money to pay for an attorney. If that’s your situation, that’s okay. Here are a few things you will want to do or keep in mind before mediation:

  1. Review this letter that explains how mediation works, as well as this our mediation FAQs. Knowledge is power.
  2. Google your mediator to see who he or she is. If you know a little bit about your mediator, you’ll feel more comfortable during mediation.
  3. Review the pleadings that have been filed so far in your case, especially the Financial Declarations. If you don’t know what a Financial Declaration is, read here. Financial Declarations are how you determine child support and alimony, as well as asset and debt division. Financial Declarations are the most important documents in Utah divorces and child custody cases.
  4. If you haven’t completed a Financial Declaration, sit down now and fill it out. (If you need one, click here.) It will take you some time, but get all the documents together and get it done. Once it’s done, make a copy and send it to the other party or the attorney. If you don’t complete a Financial Declaration, you will be flying blind. You’ll be at the other party’s mercy because they will have facts and figures — and you won’t.
  5. Keep this in mind: you don’t have to agree to anything. You can always walk away from mediation if you feel like you aren’t getting a good deal.
  6. Unless you’re sure about the agreement you negotiated, don’t sign. If you sign an agreement (usually called “stipulation”) in mediation, you will be bound by it. Assume you can’t change anything after mediation.

If you would feel more comfortable with an attorney, find one you trust. And make sure it’s an attorney who does primarily family law, preferably one who only takes only divorce and child custody cases. And don’t worry; you’ll be able to find a good attorney who will go to mediation with you.

Whatever you choose, be as prepared as possible for mediation. It will pay off.

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Lei was something special. She was very understanding of our situation and her advice and listening ear made our decision and path forward clear. Thank you!
Response from the owner: Adam, you're welcome, and thank you.
I just got off the phone with Kent and feel very confident in him and the help he has already provided in my case. He listened to and addressed my concerns with kindness and understanding and left me feeling like I'm not just another case, that he really is here to help me.
Response from the owner: So glad Kent has already started helping you, Wendy.
Andrew did a great on my case. Communication was consistent, to the point and he kept me well informed. I also had the pleasure working with Clay. Top notch firm, very confident, and I would highly recommend them if you want to win. Thanks again team ~D
Response from the owner: Dan, thank you, and glad Andrew helped you so well.
Lei the office manager helped tremendously with all hiccups that we ran into and was very responsive and knowledgeable! She is a Rockstar and makes Brown Family Law worthy of 5 stars
Response from the owner: Thank you.
Sierra was so helpful right from the moment she answered our call. She gave all her support and resources and made sure to ask if we needed anything else before moving forward. Thank you so much!
Response from the owner: Thank you, Mel. Glad Sierra was able to help.
I would hands down suggest Brown Family Law. Nathaniel helped me with my divorce, and he was very knowlegeable and knows his stuff. He helped me file a motion, get somethings changed in the original decree, helped me understand the terms they use, helped me understand how child support is calculated along is all the financial aspects associated with divorce case. He also is very responsive to phone calls and emails which was very helpful whenever I had small questions. Thank you Nathaniel!
Response from the owner: Andrew, thank you for your kind words.
I can’t say enough good things about Brown Family Law, but more specifically, my lawyer David Handy and his paralegal Dani. They are kind and honest and always available to me when I’ve needed them! This is such an exhausting time and they alleviated all of my stress by taking control. I could trust the process knowing I was in great hands!!! The entire law firm works as a team to take care of you! I can’t recommend them enough! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner: Ryan, so glad David and Dani served you so well and alleviated your stress.
They handled my case with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity and made every effort to be efficient and transparent with me throughout the whole process. I was told that they were the best as far as family law is concerned and I believe that praise was fully justified.
Response from the owner: Ben, thank you.
Amber McFee is always professional and great to work with. Being opposing counsel by nature is adversarial, but Amber is professional in approach while effectively advocating for her clients. She will treat you right!
Response from the owner: Thank you, Jonathan.
Overall from start to finish the best experience to have dealing with a time that is difficult.Andrew Christensen is very professional and out going to make this situation the best it could be and worked hard to make sure the divorce was fair for me.Over all, this firm really cares and treats you as a family or friend and just not a client, down to Marco Brown taking time to see how I was doing and offer to help in any way possible during my divorce while I was there for my first initial meeting.I would highly recommend anyone that has to go through a divorce to really reach out to the Brown Family Law firm and see for your self the experience I was able to receive from a top notch law firm.
Response from the owner: Devin, thank you for the kind words. Andrew appreciated the opportunity to help you with your situation.
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