A SIMPLE, CARING PROCESS
Affordable Arizona
Divorce Mediation
We make divorce easier and less stressful.
Confidential
What happens in mediation, stays in mediation. Your information never becomes public.
Online services
You can attend your meetings from wherever you are most comfortable.
Better for children
Mediation protects the health and well-being of children by keeping kids out of court.
Voted “Best Of Our Valley” for “Best Family Law”
Arizona Foothills Magazine, for 6 consecutive years, 2016-2021
DIVORCE WITHOUT COURT
Divorce mediation, defined
We make divorce easier and less stressful.
Divorce mediation is a process for resolving a case without going to court. A neutral mediator helps parties reach mutual agreement on all issues, sometimes called a settlement.
In mediation, parties are able to discover and discuss options that create an opportunity for a settlement in which there are no losers—both spouses have their best possible agreements.
Spouses work with a mediator to agree upon all issues that a court would decide in litigation: dividing assets and debts, spousal support, as well as, child support, parenting time, legal decision-making authority and child-custody agreements—which make up a “Parenting Plan.”
Our family mediator’s are Arizona attorneys with the highest level of dispute resolution credentials. We will help you communicate and find creative divorce agreements to resolve all issues out of court.
THE BETTER WAY
Our successful 4-step process
01
Get answers – Schedule a complimentary 1-hour consultation
Meet with your mediator and learn about how our process works. We will answer all of your questions and help you feel some relief.
02
Avoid court – We file your Petition for you
You do not have to fight. We help you reach agreements and we take care of the rest.
03
Move forward – We help you reach agreements
We help you understand your options and then we help you create unique agreements. You remain in control of the decisions, not a judge.
04
Complete your process – We prepare and finalize your Consent Decree
Our all-inclusive process includes all mediation services, meetings, document preparation, e-notarization and filing with the court.
“I’m so glad we went the mediation route.”
“Well-organized, supportive, compassionate and effective: I’m so glad we went the mediation route. I was completely satisfied with the results.
Their level of skill and compassion surpassed what I expected during the difficult process of divorce.”
-A.P.
Divorce Without Court
The Advantages of Mediation
We save you money and time
Divorce mediation is far less expensive than litigation—typically 80-90% less than the cost of a divorce with attorneys in court. In Maricopa County, divorce litigation costs are estimated at $18,000 per spouse on average. Most Arizona attorneys require a large retainer and then billing occurs in 15 minute increments. At The Aurit Center, we take an all-inclusive flat-fee approach that is predictable and supports your financial stability. Why spend an unpredictable amount of time in court litigating, when you can complete your entire process with less conflict in just 2-4 months?
We successfully settle cases
Our cases successfully settle out of court 98% of the time. Mediation creates “win-win,” agreements so that both parties feel satisfied with the outcome. Litigation often leaves both spouses unhappy and frustrated with the judge’s final decisions and the rulings they will have to live by. In mediation, you make the decisions because you stay in control.
We honor confidentiality
What happens in mediation, stays in mediation. Arizona law protects mediation confidentiality. Any communications in mediation are private and cannot be used against the other person. In litigation, court matters are public record and all proceedings are open to the public.
We provide personalization
Mediation is personally tailored to your wants and needs. Your agreements will be customized reflecting what is important to you and you will remain in control of the timeline and the outcome. Courts, on the other hand ,do not have the time or resources to understand or thoughtfully consider your needs. In litigation, people relinquish control of the outcome. A judge makes final decisions without ever fully understanding the parties’ circumstances.
We focus on your children
We will help you build a parenting plan that sets you up for successful co-parenting. We encourage positive communication techniques that will support your children’s emotional health. Children benefit when their parents have a healthy relationship and avoid conflict.
We support wellness
Litigation is an all-consuming, confrontational process that can cause extreme stress which can negatively impact your health and well-being. Mediation is cooperative and based on problem solving. People experience far less stress, and far higher levels of well-being, in mediation.
We communicate respectfully
Litigation only serves to escalate conflict, extending a stressful process which often ruins relationships. Mediation de-escalates conflict and encourages respectful interaction. This is crucial for co-parents, who need to develop and maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship for the sake of the children.
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Will divorce cost tens of thousands of dollars?
Not if you complete your process in mediation which is typically $2,500 to 3,500 per spouse. In contrast, litigation is typically $15,000 – 20,000 per spouse and attorneys require large upfront retainers and bill you for every minute spent on your case.
How is mediation better for my kids?
Kids suffer emotionally and physically when their parents fight during divorce. Thankfully, you don’t have to fight, and we are here to help. Our primary focus is the best interests of children and helping co-parents to create a solid foundation for parenting now, and into the future. We believe kids deserve a happy two-home childhood.
Who can I trust to mediate?
Meet with mediators who offer a free initial consultation. When you meet with them, they should thoroughly explain their process and provide you with the information you need to decide how best to complete your process. They should convey empathy, compassion and professionalism that allows you to trust them to act as your mediator. The Aurit Center mediators are genuinely caring and are ready to guide you through this challenging time.
“Mediation is the far better choice that divorcing parents can make for the sake of their children. Michael is a compassionate mediator. I would trust him with my thoughts and feelings knowing that he would lead me to the best solution for my situation.”
Cathi Jensen Searles
Elementary School Teacher, Paradise Valley Unified School District (30+ years)
“Michael is an exceptional lawyer and mediator. His intelligence, skills, and personal qualities have allowed him to master the art and science of dispute resolution. He is creative, patient, positive, flexible, empathetic and trustworthy. His listening and communications skills are simply excellent. ”
Nancy MacLean Davidson, Esq.
Fitzgibbons Law Offices P.L.C.
“Michael is known for his creative legal mind. His reputation for fairness and excellence has a positive bearing on his outcomes with clients. His intellect helps generate thoughtful and practical solutions under difficult circumstances. Cool, calm, and collected – that’s classic Michael Aurit.”
Josh Nunez, Esq.
The Nunez Law Firm, Phoenix, Arizona
THE BIG PICTURE
Avoid a harmful
court battle
You don’t have to fight through your divorce.
We can help you get through this in the best way possible.