Family Law Mediation Attorney In Highland Park
There is a better way through divorce. For years, Anne Schmidt has helped clients in Highland Park and throughout Illinois reach fair, lasting agreements – without the courtroom, without escalating legal bills, and without the lasting damage that litigation can cause.
Anne is an attorney, a certified mediator, and a collaborative law practitioner. She does not do divorce litigation. Her entire practice is built around helping people resolve matters outside of court. Her firm has Spanish-speaking staff to serve a diverse range of clients.
Why Mediation Works
Mediation keeps you in control of the outcome. While a judge decides based on the law, a mediator helps you and your spouse decide based on what actually matters to your family. Compared to litigation, mediation typically:
- Costs significantly less – no courtroom preparation, more money stays with your family
- Moves faster – not dependent on court schedules
- Keeps your private matters private
- Reduces the impact on your children – they stay out of the process entirely
- Produces agreements people actually follow – because they helped make them
Anne’s Role: Neutral Facilitator Or Representative
Anne can serve as a neutral mediator – not representing either party, but helping both reach agreement – or she can represent one party’s interests in a process handled by another neutral. She also works as a ‘divorce concierge,’ consulting on marital settlement agreement language to make sure retirement account provisions will work downstream.
What Happens In Mediation?
Mediation sessions are private. You and your spouse work through the issues in your divorce – assets, debts, support, parenting plans, and retirement account division. Anne is direct and honest with you at every step about what is realistic and what isn’t. The end result is a signed memorandum of understanding that becomes the basis for your final legal decree.
Do I Need An Attorney?
It’s always worth having legal counsel review any agreement before you sign. Even if you and your spouse reach agreement on everything, an attorney can make sure the language is legally sound and the court will approve it.
Collaborative Divorce Vs. Mediation
Both are nonadversarial. The key difference is representation: in mediation, a neutral facilitator works with both parties but cannot draft the legal documents. In collaborative divorce, each party has their own attorney, and both attorneys cooperate to draft all necessary documents. Most collaborative attorneys – Anne included – are also trained mediators.
Book A Consultation
Initial consultations are by phone. Call 847-926-7679 or schedule online. Your consultation fee is credited to your first invoice when you retain our office.