Daniel W. Willems

Willems Law Office & Mediation

Waterloo, Iowa 50701

319-366-0811

Alimony, Child Custody, Child Support Modification, Co-Parenting, Divorce, Divorce Modification and Enforcement, Domestic Relations, Legal Separation

The purpose of this site is to provide basic information to the consumer of legal services to assist them in making informed choices.  By accessing the various practice areas on the right hand column you will be provided summaries of Iowa law, tips and brochures.  We hope you find this information helpful.


What sets this firm apart from other firms
is a “peacemaking” philosophy which underlies services as attorney, counselor at law, mediator, and arbitrator.  For information concerning attorney Daniel W. Willems, you can see his resume.

What is Mediation?  Mediation is facilitated negotiation.  Mediation  seeks a mutually beneficial solution.  Parties discuss their values and motivations.  Solutions evolve as parties understand each other, gain knowledge and explore resources.  A trained mediator facilitates the meetings.  The mediator remains neutral and does not make decisions for the parties.  The dispute is settled only if parties are in agreement.

 

Is Mediation Effective?  Studies of mediation of domestic disputes show 95% of participants did not believe mediation would work before they began.  Yet 71% reached agreement on some, if not all, the issues they faced.  Doubt is normal and does not predict the outcome of mediation.  Divorced couples who had a judge decide the outcome of their divorce are 7-8 times more likely to bring future disputes to the court than those who mediated.

 

Is Mediation for Everyone?  If a person is afraid to be in the same room as the other party or does not feel able to speak up or disagree with them, mediation might not be appropriate.  Such concerns should be shared with the party’s attorney and mediator before mediation sessions. 

 

What Happens During Mediation?  Generally the mediator opens the session with an introduction.  Rules for the discussion are established.  Issues are identified.  The parties may be invited to state what they want and why.  Discussions follow.  The mediator summarizes agreements reached. 

 

Types of Mediation:  The extent to which the mediator directs the outcome of mediation varies from mediator to mediator.  On one end of the continuum are mediators who refuse to interject their opinions into the process.  On the other extreme a mediator might evaluate the evidence and arguments of the parties and recommend a specific outcome.  In some mediation sessions the parties stay in constant contact with each other.  In other mediations, the mediator uses a process called caucuses.  A caucus is a meeting with the mediator and just one side to the dispute.  The mediator may shuffle between separate rooms where the parties are and communicate information, listen, ask questions and discuss the arguments and evidence presented by the other side.  The type of mediation used depends upon the mediator, the issues to be decided, and the desires of the parties.

Willems Law Office
641 40th Street S.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

PH:   319 366 0811
FAX: 319 363 5004
EMAIL: [email protected]