Resolve Disputes with Compassion and Clarity Through Professional Mediation Services
Shirl LeBaron has practiced law for 41 years, much of that time spent in Domestic litigation. Including in such practice is participating in hundreds of mediations. Shirl can mediate divorce and family conflicts, personal injury, probate disputes and business disputes. Shirl has been trained in basic mediation skills from Utah Dispute Resolution and advanced Domestic Mediation from highly regarded Susan Bradshaw, Master Mediator. Shirl is a hands on mediator, uses his listening skills and calm demeanor to help the parties reach resolution.
Shirl is also a member of The Council on Conflict Resolution.
Maximum fee: $200 per hour
Meet Over Zoom: This is preferred, state wide, but if both parties want to mediate in person, that can be accomodated.
Location: 802 E Bamberger Ste B, American Fork, Utah
District: Judicial Districts 1 through 8.
No matter where you are in the process:
- Working out the details of a separation agreement or stipulation? (Marriage Dissolution Agreement)
- Want to finalize a divorce?
- Already filed in court?
- Need to fix an old court order that is no longer working for you?
Utah law requires mediation in all contested matters, including divorces, before you go to court.
Mediation can work for you!
- A Mediator is a neutral professional who is trained to help parties come to their own legally-binding agreement without the need for a trial in the court system.
- A Mediator does not favor either side and does not favor one particular result over another.
- A Mediator works to bring both parties to a mututal resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mediation is an informal process where the issues of the divorce are discussed with Shirl as the mediator, the parties and their counsel in a safe, collaborative, facilitated manner, with the purpose to resolve all outstanding matters in the divorce.
Shirl believes that mediation gives parties the ability to determine, in a confidential setting, how they move forward after what can be an emotional, disappointing and traumatic shift in relationships.
Mediation offers more control, less conflict, less expense, less time, and greater compliance to the agreement reached, than litigation and trial.
In order to move forward rather than focus on the past, parties will engage in the art of compromise, communication, and negotiation with help from Shirl.
Shirl’s fees are $200 per hour. The fee is shared equally between the parties, unless agreed otherwise. There is a two-hour minimum for a full-day mediation. Half-day mediations are also available. Shirl, via Zoom, can conduct mediations statewide.
There is a cancellation fee for the minimum hours, if a mediation is cancelled any time after scheduling and Shirl cannot fill the slot.
Payment in the form of cash, check, credit card and debit cards are accepted. Venmo is not accepted.
At the beginning of the mediation, Shirl will briefly review with both parties separately, the pre-signed Agreement to Mediate which includes the format and expectations.
Shirl mostly engages in shuttle mediation (going back and forth with the parties in separate Zoom rooms), facilitating options and solutions with the parties, moving to a resolution of all issues. Shirl also uses risk – assessments (reality checks) using his 41 years as a divorce practitioner, sharing with the parties how the court may rule on contested issues.
Yes, it is highly recommended. Shirl cannot give legal advice to either party. You cannot expect to negotiate without knowledge of your legal rights and be happy with the result.
If an agreement is reached during mediation, which is the objective; our office can prepare the written Agreement (called a Stipulation) for signatures of both parties. Sometimes one of the participating attorney’s offices will prepare the Stipulation.
We always strive to have both parties sign the Stipulation before they leave, unless the mediation is continued. The Stipulation when signed is binding.
Most if not all of the following will have been provided to our office and opposing counsel several days before mediation.
If not received beforehand, bring with you:
- Up-to-date financial information; such as income verification (pay stubs and income taxes), retirement/pension statements, investments, bank accounts, receipts, mortgage and real estate balances and values.
- Proof of monthly expenses, including debts and obligations.
- List of income and assets, including real estate, vehicles, business interests, life insurance, furnishings, and other personal property.
- A calendar which shows what over-nights your children spent with you.
As a resource if you are pro-se, is obtaining and filling out a Financial Declaration found under “Forms” at utcourts.gov. These documents are essential in coming to a resolution.
Back-up and clarifying documents are a good idea in case there are questions.