Salt Lake City Mediation Lawyer

Nearly 25 Years of Utah Family Law Experience, Every Case Handled Personally

I am Emy Cordano, a family law mediation attorney in Salt Lake City with nearly 25 years of experience in Utah family law. If you’re beginning a divorce, one of the first distinctions worth understanding is the difference between a mediator and a mediation attorney. The neutral mediator is a third party who facilitates discussion between spouses; they don’t take sides, give legal advice, or decide outcomes. I’m not the mediator. I’m your advocate, sitting across the table and helping protect your interests before any agreement goes to a judge. I manage every case personally without handing off to junior associates or paralegals, and if mediation doesn’t produce a resolution, I can step directly into full courtroom litigation to protect you. I serve clients throughout Salt Lake City and surrounding communities in Utah.

If you’re facing a divorce or post-decree dispute and want to know whether mediation is the right path, call me at (801) 901-8159 or contact my office to schedule a consultation.

What Issues Can Mediation Address?

Though it doesn’t work for everyone, mediation can be used to address essential issues like:

• The Division of property
• Custody arrangements for divorcing couples and unwed couples
• Child support, which is calculated formulaically but is case-specific
• Alimony, if applicable

More couples in Salt Lake City are turning to mediation as a practical alternative to traditional divorce litigation. It gives both parties an opportunity to work through disputed issues with a neutral third party who has no stake in the outcome and more room to reach solutions a court might not have the flexibility to impose.

What Are the Benefits of Mediation?

Mediation is often faster and less expensive than litigation, but cost and speed aren’t the only reasons to consider it. Because mediation is confidential, what is discussed during sessions typically can’t be used as evidence in later court proceedings, and the process is not part of the public court record. Parties can discuss issues openly without fear of those conversations being turned against them.

When children are involved, mediation can also help preserve the co-parenting relationship by reducing conflict around custody and parent-time disputes. To learn more about how a Salt Lake City mediation lawyer can help, contact me to schedule a consultation.

How Does Mediation Work in Utah?

Utah Code Section 81-4-403 establishes a mandatory domestic mediation program. If contested issues remain after a response to a divorce petition is filed, both parties must participate in good faith in at least one mediation session before the case can proceed to trial. Parties are required to select and contact a qualified mediator within 15 days of a contested answer being filed and to begin the process within 45 days.

What the Mediator Does & Does Not Do

The neutral mediator doesn’t give legal advice, make decisions, or tell parties what to agree to. Their role is to facilitate discussion and help identify possible solutions. If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator prepares a non-binding memorandum of understanding that attorneys then use to draft a formal stipulation and order for court submission. If no agreement is reached, the mediator reports participation to the court, and the case moves forward to trial.

Exceptions & Excusals

The Third District Court, which covers Salt Lake County, also requires referral to its Co-Parenting Mediation Program when a motion is filed alleging a violation of court-ordered parent-time rights. Under Utah Code Section 81-4-403, the court, the director of dispute resolution programs, or the mediator may excuse either party from the mediation requirement for good cause, which can include safety concerns or a significant power imbalance between the parties.

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

Mediation outcomes depend on the facts of your case, the issues in dispute, and how prepared your attorney is going into each session. I provide direct, honest feedback about what you can realistically expect so there are no surprises. I don’t take a case unless I believe I can genuinely help, and I offer fair fees for high-level, personal representation.

I’m available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for time-sensitive needs. Contact me or call (801) 901-8159 to speak with me directly about your situation.