Savannah Mediation Attorney for Family Law Solutions

Richard Sanders Brings Registered Mediator Credentials to Every Family Law Case

Couple during mediation If you’ve been served with divorce papers or are facing a complex family law matter, litigation isn’t your only option. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) gives you and your spouse a path to resolve disputes outside the courtroom, on your own terms. Even when the conversation is difficult, mediation can work if both parties are willing to participate honestly. At Johnson Kraeuter & Sanders LLC, we provide the legal guidance and representation you need throughout every stage of the process.

Contact us at (912) 421-2900 to schedule a mediation consultation with our Savannah family law team.

What Mediation Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)

Mediation is a confidential, informal process in which both parties meet with a neutral third party whose job is to help them reach their own decisions, not to decide the outcome for them. Agreements reached in mediation are generally binding, and the mediator can’t be called to testify if the case later proceeds to trial.

Most divorce mediation sessions in Georgia run between three and five hours, though some last a full day. Shorter, focused sessions tend to produce better results: they reduce stress and keep both parties in a productive, agreement-focused mindset.

Mandatory Mediation in the Eastern Judicial Circuit

In the Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia, mediation is mandatory in most contested civil and domestic Superior Court cases. For Chatham County families, that means divorce, legitimation, contempt, and modification cases all go through mediation before a final hearing. Parties must respond to the Standing Order for Production of Documents five days before the session.

You can use The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire or any mediator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in the appropriate discipline. Mediation can proceed virtually or in person depending on your case type and preference. Because most Savannah families will go through this process regardless of preference, working with counsel who understands the Eastern Judicial Circuit’s mandatory mediation framework from the start of your case is worth considering.

Issues Mediation Can Resolve in Savannah

Mediation keeps key decisions in your hands rather than a judge’s. You and your spouse work together to find resolutions across a full range of family law matters.

Mediation can be used to resolve:

Why Savannah Families Choose Johnson Kraeuter & Sanders LLC for Mediation

In mediation, you control decisions that a judge would otherwise make for you, including where the session takes place and who is present. As a family law mediation attorney in Savannah, Richard Sanders brings a credential most litigators don’t have: he approaches the table having worked both sides of it.

Richard Sanders’ Mediation Credentials

Richard Sanders is a registered domestic mediator and registered arbitrator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, a member of the ADR Board of Chatham County, and a volunteer at The Mediation Center in Savannah. Because he understands the mediator’s role from the inside, he can develop strategy before and during a session that a strictly litigation-focused attorney would miss. He was recognized for the highest settlement rate at The Mediation Center Savannah in 2013 and has lectured on mediation negotiation strategy at the ABA Family Law CLE Conference. He co-authored “Divorce in Georgia” and has argued before the Georgia Supreme Court and Georgia Court of Appeals, giving clients representation that extends from the mediation table to the appellate level when appropriate.

Firm Credentials & Experience

Our attorneys have served in leadership roles in the State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section, and the firm holds an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Our team brings more than 100 years of combined family law experience to every case. Having litigation-ready counsel at the table can also shape how the opposing party approaches settlement. You can rely on our Savannah mediation attorneys to keep you informed at every stage.

Ready to explore a better path forward? Call us at (912) 421-2900 or contact our team online to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mediation in Savannah

Is Mediation Required in Chatham County?

Yes. In the Eastern Judicial Circuit, mediation is mandatory in most contested domestic Superior Court cases before a final trial. This applies to divorce, legitimation, contempt, and modification proceedings in Chatham County. Parties select a mediator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and must comply with the Standing Order for Production of Documents before the session takes place.

Is Mediation Suitable for Child Custody Disputes in Savannah?

Yes. Mediation gives parents the ability to shape a parenting plan around their children’s specific needs rather than leaving those decisions to a judge. The process encourages collaboration, which can help preserve a workable co-parenting relationship. It also tends to be less adversarial and faster than going through the court system.

What Financial Benefits Does Mediation Offer Over Litigation in Savannah?

Mediation typically involves fewer legal fees because it eliminates the need for extensive discovery and trial preparation. The process moves faster than litigation, which reduces costs further. And because the parties reach a mutually agreed-upon settlement rather than leaving the outcome to a judge, they can avoid the unpredictability that a court-ordered decision can bring.