Mediation Services

An Intro to Our Process

DuPage County Divorce Mediation and Family Law Mediation is an 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.

Benefits of Family Mediation in DuPage County (and beyond)

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);
• Mediation is cost and time efficient.

Role of the Mediator in DuPage County (and beyond)

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.

A mediator does not prepare or file legal documents or represent either participant regardless of professional education or background. 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.

Experience in Family Law 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:

• 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
• 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

DuPage County Divorce Mediator, Erin Birt, serves 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 have experience serving clients in Cook County, Will County, and Kane County.

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 law 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. 

Joint Mediation Orientation

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