BEST OPTIONS
FAMILY MEDIATION
I offer mediation for individuals and families considering separation or the dissolution of marriage or partnerships without adversarial, expensive, and time-consuming litigation. My impartial assistance throughout mediation ensures each party's interests and concerns are incorporated into mutual agreements.
I am a certified court-connected family law mediator satisfying the Chief Justice Order's standards. I work with parties to meet their mandatory mediation requirement, and I am trained in settling custody, child support, parenting time, spousal support, and property division issues outside of court.
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This process allows parties to minimize damage to relationships, create family arrangements that meet fundamental needs, especially those of any children involved, and focus on preserving resources for the future instead of spending them on costly and public court battles.
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Contact me to explore how I can help you and your loved one(s) as you navigate the challenges inherent in re-configuring family structures, relationships, and finances.
Professional Services
High-Quality Mediation Services for Families, Partners, Relationships in Transition
You can count on Best Options Family Mediation to meet your expectations and needs. Learn more about the services provided below, and let me know if you’d like to know more about a specific offering.
Initial Consultation with Each Participant, if Appropriate and Requested
I am committed to honoring individuals' dignity, perspective, needs, and interests. A preliminary meeting with each party often helps clarify these and develop goals for mediation.
Conflict with others or a major loss sometimes transforms one's view of self, relationships, or life priorities. Often, disputes and disruptions shed light on internal conflicts and patterns. I am well-trained to effectively address these in the process of moving toward resolution with other parties.
Throughout the mediation process, I guide all participants in communicating in constructive ways that are more likely to lead to a mutually-agreeable solution or settlement.
You can count on me to be professional and impartial. I adhere to the highest ethical standards, including confidentiality.
Confidential and Flexible Mediation Sessions
Best Options Family Mediation offers joint, group, and shuttle sessions, depending on individuals' comfort levels and possible safety concerns. I have the professional experience and skills necessary to assist parties in analyzing their unique circumstances and making informed decisions regarding best options for themselves and their children (if any).
Mutual agreements arrived at during sessions will be based on careful attention to each party's needs and interests, financial concerns, and life circumstances. All mediation communications remain confidential, ensuring each party's privacy. Only when clients are free to speak without fear of the dissemination of their views or information can they be creative and more cooperative. This gives the mediator a range of constructive approaches to achieve the high-quality results you and your family deserve.
Memorializing and Drafting Settlement Agreements
My in-depth experience paying meticulous attention to detail, meeting deadlines, and drafting complex documents as an attorney, academic, law professor, and seasoned mediator will serve you well as my client. I learned during my engagement with the family court system for over a decade how critical it is that important information and responses are promptly provided to the client.
You can expect timely, accurate, and well-crafted communications from me throughout the process of negotiating temporary or final settlement agreements. With Best Options Family Mediation, you can expect professionalism and efficiency in achieving results based on each party's informed consent and self-determination.
Mediator Kathleen Maloney
Stanford University, B.A., M.A.
University of Arizona, J.D.
(summa cum laude, Order of the Coif)
Oxford University, Advanced degree in International Human Rights Law (with Distinction) ​
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Practiced law as a Member of the Arizona Bar for five years​
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Appointed as Visiting Professional advising Appellate Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC)
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Law Professor teaching five different upper-division law courses at Lewis & Clark Law School and at Willamette University's International Human Rights Clinic over the last 15 years
Custody, Parenting Time, and Financial Mediator, qualified through advanced family law mediation clinical training (CCRS) and certified as Oregon Justice Department Court-Connected Mediator
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Small Claims Volunteer Mediator for Clackamas and Multnomah Counties since 2015
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Raised three children through litigation abuse after protracted divorce caused by domestic violence
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Trained in trauma-informed practices and approaches cases with mindful attention to family history, relationship dynamics, and each party's needs and interests
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Provides high-quality, cost-effective, and mutually-agreed outcomes
Delivers timely, responsive communications and top-notch professional services and products.
Contact Me for More Information about the Process and How We Can Work Together
Mediator & Coach
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