Resolving Family Matters With Clarity, Respect, and Forward Focus
When families go through transitions—whether through separation, divorce, or co-parenting changes—the legal process can feel overwhelming. Mediation offers an alternative: a private, structured setting where individuals can work through disagreements and reach agreements that make sense for everyone involved.
Mediation That Fits Into Your Life
Managing significant personal changes alongside a busy life can be challenging. My mediation services are structured to be accessible and practical, aiming to provide a process that is both effective and manageable—financially and emotionally:
Remote Mediation. Zoom meetings and online scheduling make mediation easier and safer for everyone.
Pricing. Reasonable fees, structured to be transparent with no surprise costs.
Digital Convenience. Online meetings, sharing documents, and signing.
More about mediation of family court matters in St. Cloud and central Minnesota
A Thoughtful Alternative to Litigation
Mediation is not about winning or losing. It’s about reaching workable, fair agreements while promoting communication, preserving dignity, and reducing conflict. It can be especially valuable in matters involving children, where long-term cooperation is essential.
Self-determination is a central principle of mediation. Court Rules require mediators to facilitate a voluntary resolution of a dispute. “A mediator shall act in a manner that recognizes that mediation is based on the principle of self-determination by the parties.” A mediator may not coerce the parties to accept any particular option.
Court-Ordered Mediation
Parties are free to choose their own mediator. Judges typically encourage parties to select a mediator of their choice and begin mediation early in the process. They may also direct parties to the court’s list of Qualified Neutrals or provide a sampling of names of mediators in an effort to drive the process forward, but with the understanding that parties are free to choose whoever they wish from the list of Qualified Neutrals.
Scheduling Mediation
Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the General Rules of Practice.
Mediating matters online for Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Wright, Morrison, and other central Minnesota counties. Request mediation dates using the Contact Form to the right. Or phone (320) 251-0222.
Mediation sessions typically start at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm and can be scheduled within 7 to 14 days. Available dates and times will be discussed and a session set for a time that works for all of the parties.
Cost of mediation is typically divided equally between the parties, but they may also agree to divide the cost another way.
Once parties have hired me to mediate their issues, each one communicates with me privately as they explore the disagreement which has them at odds. The parties are assured of my neutrality and their right to a non-coercive process, based upon their rights to self-determination.
In many cases, mediation can help resolve all or some of the issues and avoid an often long, expensive, and unpredictable court process.
In 1986, I was selected as one of the first persons to be trained as a family court mediator in Minnesota. My initial training was provided by the Erickson Mediation Institute of Edina, one of the country’s leading mediation training centers.
Since that time, I have received further training through a number of courts and private organizations, and served as a mediator in many court and non-court settings in central Minnesota and the Twin Cities. I also served as a Family Court Settlement Conference Referee in Hennepin County.
I have seen mediation help people make dramatic progress in difficult situations.
Non-Ordered Mediation
Parties often undertake mediation when not ordered by a court, in an effort to resolve issues as they negotiate terms for arriving at an out-of-court settlement.
Mediation Sessions
Today, the mediation sessions are usually conducted using Zoom or other online video resources, for convenience and to insure a safe environment.
Issues covered in mediation can include any matter that the parties choose. For example, parenting time disputes, payment of expenses, conduct around the children, dividing assets in divorce, and questions arising after a divorce relating to wording of the Decree.
Mediators do not represent any of the parties or advise them regarding which issues to submit to mediation.
Gerald Hasselbrink, Attorney and Mediator
Phone (320) 251-0222
Qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the General Rules of Practice
Providing affordable, safe, confidential mediation and dispute resolution for more than 20 years
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section
Request further information using the Contact Form to the right. Or phone (320) 251-0222
The Preliminary Information form below will help you gather the important information and assess your needs as you prepare for mediation.
Use the Contact Form on the right to send a message
MORE INFORMATION
