Divorce and Family Law Mediator

Serving Chanhassen, Minnesota, and the Surrounding Communities

Callahan Family Law and Mediation, LLC, is committed to offering high quality family law and divorce mediation services throughout Minnesota, with an emphasis on the communities southwest of Minneapolis, including Carver County, Hennepin County and Scott County, as well as localities from Chanhassen to Chaska, Victoria and Waconia.

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party, the mediator, helps both parties explore options for resolving their dispute. A mediator does not represent either party and does not advocate for either party. The mediator helps parties create their own agreements based on their unique family needs. Mediation is a cost-effective and private way to settle all family law issues which cannot be resolved without outside assistance.

Parties to a family law matter may attend mediation with or without an attorney. Mediation can even take place before anyone has filed for divorce. Parties who reach an agreement before a petition has been filed may file one joint petition along with their agreement, which saves money. When parties attend mediation early in the process of resolving their dispute, they can save not only money, but time, energy, and the emotional stress involved in litigating a divorce or support case.

Mediation can also be used to settle disputes months or years after a divorce. As children get older and family needs change, court orders can become outdated. Parents can reach agreements in mediation, then submit them to the court to modify outdated court orders. Learn more about the benefits of mediation in our specific articles about mediation.

Choosing a Mediator

Not all mediators are created equal. In Minnesota you do NOT have to be an attorney to be a mediator, but there are many advantages to choosing a mediator who is also an attorney with extensive background in family law.

A mediator who is also an experienced family law attorney can help you appreciate your rights and responsibilities under Minnesota law, so that you can make informed decisions. You will be able to rest assured that the agreement you've negotiated through mediation is fair compared to the result you might have achieved through litigation, and that your agreement will carefully implement all the legal requirements needed for separating assets and liabilities. Christine Callahan is a qualified mediator AND an experienced family law attorney.

At Callahan Law, we strive to make the mediation process more effective by focusing on making progress toward resolution, rather than dwelling on the past. The past can be an indicator of how parties will work together, but focusing on the future often leads to a faster, less expensive, and more effective mediation process for everyone. We encourage parties to take an active role in creating their own best settlements.

Christine Callahan has many years of experience in family law, and also understands on a personal level the challenges of a family going through the divorce process. Christine’s background in Adult Education, combined with her knowledge of family law and the Minnesota courts, gives her the perfect balance of experience for effective and efficient mediation.

To learn more about how mediation can help resolve your divorce or other Minnesota family law matter, we invite you to contact Callahan Law, LLC online, or to call our Chanhassen office at (952) 975-9961 to schedule a free initial consultation. We look forward to working with you.