Divorce and Parenting Mediation Services

DuPage County Divorce Mediation and Family Law Mediation is a two party (or more) alternative dispute resolution method that assists parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Divorce Mediation and Family Law Mediation is confidential and conducted in a supportive, private, and non-adversarial setting.

Family Mediation Quick Links:

• Introduction to Mediation
• Our Approach to Mediation
• Services Offered via Mediation
• FAQ's for Mediation
• Fee Packages for Mediation
• How to Get Started

Introduction to Mediation

DuPage County Divorce Mediator, Erin Birt, is a family law mediator and an Illinois divorce lawyer. As a DuPage County Divorce Mediator and lawyer, she understands the legal requirements for an enforceable and equitable divorce or family law agreement in DuPage County, Illinois. When requested, she can present to parties various options that have been previously accepted by a divorce court to help move the parties forward. Ms. Birt, however, cannot provide the parties with legal advice or present legal strategy to either party in her role as a DuPage County Divorce Mediator.

The use of an attorney after mediation is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended. Our firm encourages mediation participants to have any agreement reached in mediation be reviewed by an attorney before being processed in court. If after the review there are any changes suggested beyond correcting any typographical errors (e.g., “typos” such as misspellings, duplication, simple omission, transposition), another mediation session should be scheduled to discuss the significant changes and to confirm all issues and agreements with both participants. The above is included in our service contract, status emails to the participants, and again highlighted in mediation when discussing next steps with the participants.

During the course mediation process, the mediator may verbally inform the participants if the mediator does not concur with any provision of the agreement or the veracity of the information being shared, and this might be challenging for one or both participants. This, however, does not limit the participant's ability to reach agreements or carry out the terms of any agreement. The challenges felt in mediation rather than in litigation, however, often produce positive growth in the future.

Our Approach to Family Mediation

Birt Family Law is the family centered law and mediation practice with a focus on restorative divorce; offering creative and supportive legal and mediation solutions with one goal: keeping the separating family out of court and working together towards a peaceful resolution.

We offer multiple options to achieve this goal including mediation, coaching, co-parenting strategies, and restorative divorce services.

Restorative Divorce Services:

• Family Centered Divorce
• Mediation
• Co-Parenting Services

Mediation sessions can be joint sessions or separate sessions. Our Family Mediator, Erin Birt, serves mediation clients both nationally via Zoom and locally via in person meetings or via Zoom for our clients in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Warrenville, Winfield, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Lombard, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, and Oak Brook as well as other cities located in DuPage County. We also have experience serving clients throughout Illinois and specifically in Cook County, Will County, Kane County, McHenry County, and Kendall County.

Our Services for Family Mediation in DuPage County (and beyond)

A DuPage County Divorce Mediator since 2004, Ms. Birt, has mediation experience with the following complex Illinois divorce and family law issues:

• Pre-marriage Planning
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Postnuptial Agreements
• Reconciliation Planning
• Same Sex Couple Separation
• Cohabiting Couple Separation
• Unmarried Parents Separation
• Divorce and Legal Separation
• Property and Debt Division
• Maintenance or Alimony
• Parental Responsibilities
• Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time)
• Child Support Issues
• Stepparent visitation or access to child
• Grandparent visitation or access to child
• Removal of child/ren from Illinois
• Post-divorce issues (i.e. contribution to college expenses)
• Modification to Marital Settlement Agreements
• Annual review of Parenting Agreements

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Mediation

1. What are the benefits of family mediation?

The benefits of DuPage County Divorce Mediation and Family Law Mediation include:

• Direct communication;
• The parties control the process;
• Mediation agreements are determined by the individuals, not third parties;
• Parties are more inclined to abide by an agreement that they have created;
• Mediation helps narrow the issues (even if an agreement is not reached) and therefore shortens any time spent in court;
• Mediation is cost and time efficient and offers resolution options at a fraction of the cost of legal services.

2. Can our mediator represent us in court to finish our legal process?

No. A mediator does not prepare or file legal documents or represent either participant regardless of professional education or background. Our mediator, however, can help the couple or parties in mediation agree upon the terms of their settlement and educate them about next steps. Our mediator can also refer you to a mediation friendly closing attorney that is experienced in working with our firm after successful mediation. 

3. What are the costs for mediation?

We offer hourly rates, expedited rates, and flat fee rates for mediation. 

Fee Packages for Mediation Available 

Next Steps: Book a Joint Mediation Orientation Call

If you would like to start mediation, we require a joint mediation orientation call with both parties. This is an opportunity for both parties to speak with Erin Birt to assess whether she is a good fit to help you both find solutions to your parenting or family matter.  You can book that meeting using the button below. Please ensure both parties agree to a time and will participate in the joint call. Our mediator will initiate the call or zoom meeting within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. 

Have you been court ordered to mediation or do you want your judge to send your case to mediation to try to resolve the case? Read more about court ordered mediation below.

Court Ordered Mediation