DIVORCE, HANDLED DIFFERENTLY.
Frequently Asked Questions
The same questions come up at most first calls. Here are the ones we hear often and the answers we give.
What is The Contained Divorce Process?
The Contained Divorce is a structured, attorney-led mediation framework. The process is confidential and designed for families with mid-high net worth. We can also address more complicated financial landscapes such as a family business or multi-generational wealth. A licensed attorney-mediator guides each session; specialists (valuators, financial neutrals, therapists) are available for appointments when a specific issue calls for one.
The framework moves through five named stages: The Fit, Strategic Intake, The Initial Session, Measured Resolution, and The Exit Strategy. Most matters resolve in three to four sessions across three to four months, ending with a Memorandum of Understanding drafted by the Attorney Mediator. An attorney then drafts and files the necessary court documents for a flat fee.
Why does being a licensed attorney in good standing with the Utah Bar matter?
Divorce is a legal construct, having up-to-date, relevant information about the laws is critical to a fair and equitable outcome. To maintain good standing with the Utah Bar Association, an attorney must meet minimum hourly requirements for continuing education and training, abide by rules of professional conduct and maintain ethical standards. An attorney helps ensure the integrity of the process and the outcome.
Why does being a Court Rostered Mediator matter?
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs fall under the Utah Courts and mandate specific training to become a court-rostered mediator in the State of Utah. To stay court-rostered mediators must meet annual requirements, including training set by the Director of the ADR and the ADR Rules Committee.
Christina has consistently sought nationwide continuing education in mediation to hone her negotiating skills and combined her years of experience and education to create an efficient and cost effective process which is now offered to families as The Contained Divorce.
Why Choose The Contained Divorce Over Traditional Litigation?
Litigation is costly, slow, and adversarial. Pleadings, responses, and financial disclosures cost thousands of dollars to prepare and file, frequently moving parties further apart. Decisions about your business, your children, and your finances are made by the court if the parties cannot reach an agreement. Mediation is typically required as part of the process. Why not start with a conversation to see how much can be resolved with proper information and discussion?
Mediation is a confidential process driven by the parties. Decisions are made by the two of you, with information provided by experts, legal, financial and/or therapeutic at a pace determined by the complexity of the issues and your family’s needs. The cost is significantly less and disclosed up front.
How is The Contained Divorce different?
In most adversarial processes, positions are taken which does not always translate into preserving assets and protecting interests: someone files, your counsel responds. We work the other direction. We gather information with expert input to create full disclosure and problem solve as we work through the agenda set by you, the parties.
Specialists are brought in when the matter calls for one (a business valuator for a closely held company, a financial neutral for retirement-account division, a therapist when parenting structures need work). Nothing happens to your family by default and without the necessary information.
What if we can't agree?
Most impasses are not deadlocks. They are missing facts, a missing specialist, or a position taken before the picture was clear and decisions were informed with solid information. We work each issue with more information and time to process.
For an issue that genuinely will not resolve, you can stipulate to binding arbitration on that single point with a Utah-trained arbitrator from our network. The arbitrator decides that issue privately, the rest of the agreement holds, and mediation continues for everything else. You do not have to restart in court. However, court always remains an option.
What is the timeline?
Most matters resolve in three to four sessions across three to four months. Highly complex estates (multiple business interests, multi-state real property, intricate trust structures) may extend; uncomplicated matters may resolve faster.
Expect “homework” between sessions: documents to pull, advice to seek, decisions for further discussion. The pace is intentional, because pressured decisions on assets and parenting tend to be the decisions that get revisited later.
Why not just DIY using apps and AI tools available?
AI-assisted divorce platforms and form-based services often do not create long term plans. Frequently these Agreements end up back in court. For a couple with a short marriage, no children, and a checking account, they can be useful but are not recommended.
However, generic platforms are not built for more complicated financial and family systems dynamics. When a business needs to be valued, a partnership needs to be dissolved, or a child has needs that do not fit a default custody template informed decisions and a licensed attorney to guide the process increase the likelihood of success for a lasting resolution. Divorce is a legal construct, and a legal professional can help make sure any resolution is lasting, fair and equitable.
What we provide is a trained Attorney Mediator and neutrals experts who can be accessed in real time to answer questions. The Contained Divorce is a process that adapts to your family and needs rather than the other way around.
We're divorcing. How do we start collaborating?
Most families want a fair and equitable outcome without years of conflict and unnecessary expense. Mediation is the answer because most conflict is fueled by misunderstanding in the context of unknowns. What will my financial situation be, who will take care of the children, can I retire? Big questions, big concerns. Divorce through mediation becomes an investment in change without the financial devastation of the court process.
Before the first session, you’ll complete a structured intake, so the financial and family dynamic and topic for discussions are outlined clearly. Mediations are led by an attorney-mediator with input from specialists consulted as specific questions arise. You and your spouse receive the same information, at the same time, often in the same room, keeping the conversation moving forward instead of sideways.When children are part of the picture, the process is designed to create a co-parenting working relationship, so your children are not impacted and future events such as graduations, holidays are handled with grace. When significant assets are involved, the goal is protecting them, not spending them on litigation.
The 20-minute Fit call exists so you don’t have to figure out if this is right for you on your own.
Divorce, handled differently.
Serving all of Utah
This website is for general information and is not legal advice. Reviewing this site, contacting Christina Zavell, or submitting a consultation request does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Mediator is not acting in the capacity of representing either party. Christina Zavell, Esq., is licensed to practice law in the State of Utah.