Divorce & Family Law Mediation Serving Denver, Eagle County & Summit County
Lewis & Matthews, P.C. has provided family law mediation services to Colorado clients for more than 30 years. Attorney Jennifer Lewis serves as a neutral mediator for divorcing and separating couples, and separately represents clients who are mediating their case with the other party’s own attorney or mediator. The firm serves clients in the Denver metro area, Eagle County (including Vail, Avon, and Edwards), and Summit County (including Breckenridge, Frisco, and Dillon).
Mediation gives divorcing and separating families a way to resolve custody, support, and property disputes without a trial — on a timeline, and at a cost, that both parties help control. It works when both people are willing to negotiate in good faith. It is not the right tool for every case. Knowing which one you have is the first thing an experienced mediator should tell you.
Schedule a Consultation — (303) 329-3802
What Is Family Law Mediation in Colorado?
Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party — the mediator — helps two people in a family law dispute reach their own agreement, rather than having a judge decide the outcome for them. The mediator does not represent either party, has no authority to issue orders, and does not decide who is right. The mediator’s role is to help both people identify what’s actually in dispute, exchange information, and work toward terms both are willing to sign.
Mediation in Colorado is governed by the Colorado Dispute Resolution Act, C.R.S. § 13-22-301 through § 13-22-313. Under C.R.S. § 13-22-307, mediation communications are confidential: neither party nor the mediator can be required to disclose what was said or exchanged during mediation, with narrow exceptions — for example, if a communication reveals intent to commit a felony, inflict bodily harm, or threaten the safety of a child under 18. That confidentiality is part of what makes mediation work: it lets both people negotiate candidly without those statements being used against them later if mediation doesn’t resolve everything.
Mediation is voluntary in the sense that no mediator can force a settlement — but Colorado courts frequently order or strongly encourage mediation as part of the case management process in contested divorce and parenting matters, often before a final, contested hearing. Whether mediation is required in your case depends on the judicial district and the specific case management order the court has issued.
What Family Law Disputes Can Be Resolved Through Mediation
Mediation isn’t limited to any one stage of a family law case. Lewis & Matthews mediates or represents clients in mediation on:
Divorce settlement terms. The full range of issues in a dissolution of marriage — property and debt division, spousal maintenance, and parenting arrangements — negotiated together rather than litigated separately.
Parenting time and decision-making responsibility. Colorado’s parenting statutes specifically contemplate mediation as a tool for resolving disputes over parenting time and major decision-making authority, including under C.R.S. § 14-10-129.5. Parents can mediate an initial parenting plan or resolve a specific disagreement within an existing one.
Child support. Where both parents agree on the underlying income and parenting-time figures, mediation can resolve disputes over how the statutory child support calculation should be applied, or whether a deviation from the guideline amount is appropriate.
Spousal maintenance (alimony). Whether maintenance is paid, in what amount, and for how long — particularly useful where the statutory maintenance formula doesn’t fit the parties’ actual circumstances.
Property and debt division. Allocating real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, and marital debt without requiring a judge to value and divide each asset.
Post-decree modifications. Disputes that arise after a divorce is final — a request to modify parenting time, relocate with a child, or adjust support — are often well suited to mediation, since the parties already have a working relationship and a track record to negotiate from.
Learn more about parenting plans
Schedule a Consultation — (303) 329-3802
When Mediation Is Not the Right Tool
Mediation depends on both people negotiating honestly and without coercion. It is generally not appropriate — or requires significant safeguards — where there is a documented history of domestic violence, a substantial power imbalance between the parties, or a reasonable concern that one party is concealing assets or income. Jennifer Lewis screens for these issues before recommending mediation and will advise a client to pursue litigation or a modified process instead when mediation isn’t a safe or realistic option.
Mediation vs. Litigation: What Actually Changes
The substantive legal issues in a mediated case and a litigated case are the same — property gets classified and divided, parenting time gets allocated, support gets calculated. What changes is who controls the process and the outcome.
Decision-maker. In litigation, a judge decides any issue the parties can’t resolve themselves. In mediation, the parties decide everything; the mediator has no authority to impose a result.
Timeline. Litigated cases move on the court’s calendar and are subject to docket congestion, motion practice, and scheduled hearings. Mediation moves as fast as both parties are willing to negotiate.
Confidentiality. Court filings and hearings are part of the public record in most respects. Mediation communications are confidential under C.R.S. § 13-22-307.
Cost structure. Litigated cases typically involve two attorneys billing separately through discovery, motions, and hearings. In mediation, the parties share the cost of a single neutral mediator, and may also retain their own attorneys for advice along the way at a more limited scope.
Effect on the relationship. For parents who will be co-parenting for years after the case ends, mediation’s collaborative framing tends to produce agreements both parties are more likely to actually follow — because they built the terms themselves.
Mediation isn’t the right fit for every case, and it doesn’t eliminate the need for legal advice. A mediated agreement still needs to reflect an accurate understanding of what a party is entitled to and what they’re giving up — which is why independent legal review matters even in an amicable mediation.
Schedule a Consultation — (303) 329-3802
The Mediation Process at Lewis & Matthews
Every mediation engagement at Lewis & Matthews follows the same framework — not because it is efficient, but because the framework is what produces a durable agreement.
Initial Consultation and Suitability Screening
Every mediation engagement starts with a conversation about whether mediation fits the situation — the issues in dispute, whether both parties are willing to participate in good faith, and whether any safety or disclosure concerns need to be addressed before mediation begins.
Information and Financial Disclosure
Both parties share the financial and parenting information relevant to the issues being mediated — income, assets, debts, and, where parenting time is at issue, each parent’s proposed schedule. Full disclosure is what allows mediation to produce a durable agreement rather than one that unravels later.
Mediation Sessions
The mediator meets with both parties — together, separately, or in a combination of both, depending on what the situation calls for — to identify points of agreement, narrow the issues in dispute, and work toward terms both parties can accept. Sessions continue until the parties reach agreement on all issues, reach agreement on some issues and refer the rest to the court, or determine that mediation isn’t going to resolve the case.
Drafting the Agreement
Once the parties reach terms, the mediator or an attorney drafts a written agreement reflecting what was negotiated — a separation agreement, parenting plan, or settlement agreement, depending on the matter. Each party should have the agreement reviewed by their own attorney before signing.
Court Review and Approval
In a divorce or parenting case, the final agreement is submitted to the court for approval. Once approved, it becomes a binding court order with the same legal force as an order issued after a trial.
Jennifer Lewis’s Role: Mediator and Advocate
Lewis & Matthews works with mediation clients in two distinct capacities, and every client should know which one applies to their case.
As mediator, Jennifer Lewis is neutral. She does not represent either party, does not advise either party on their legal rights, and does not advocate for one side’s position over the other. Her role is to facilitate the negotiation.
As attorney, Jennifer Lewis represents one party’s interests directly — including when that client is mediating with a different, independent mediator, or negotiating directly with the other party’s attorney. In that role, she advises her client on their rights, reviews proposed terms before they’re signed, and negotiates on her client’s behalf.
These roles are not interchangeable, and a mediator cannot also represent one of the parties in the same matter. Clients considering mediation should ask upfront which role they’re engaging Lewis & Matthews for.
Learn more about divorce in Colorado
Learn more about child custody and parenting time
Serving Denver, Eagle County & Summit County
Lewis & Matthews, P.C. operates offices in Denver and Summit County, with representation extending throughout Eagle County. The firm mediates and represents clients in family law disputes throughout the Denver metro area and Colorado’s mountain communities.
DENVER METRO 1325 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 503, Denver, CO 80222 (303) 329-3802 Serving clients throughout Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, and Adams counties.
SUMMIT COUNTY 114 Village Place, Suite 206, Dillon, CO 80435 (970) 468-0240 Serving Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, and surrounding communities.
EAGLE COUNTY (970) 468-0240 Serving Vail, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, and surrounding mountain communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is family law mediation?
Family law mediation is a process in which a neutral third party — the mediator — helps two people in a divorce or family law dispute negotiate their own agreement instead of having a judge decide the outcome. The mediator does not represent either party and has no authority to impose a decision. In Colorado, mediation is governed by the Colorado Dispute Resolution Act, C.R.S. § 13-22-301 through § 13-22-313.
Is mediation confidential in Colorado?
Yes. Under C.R.S. § 13-22-307, communications made during mediation are confidential and generally cannot be disclosed by either party or the mediator, or used as evidence in court. There are narrow exceptions: if all parties and the mediator consent in writing, if a communication reveals intent to commit a felony, inflict bodily harm, or threaten the safety of a child under 18, if disclosure is required by statute, or if disclosure is necessary to a claim of misconduct against the mediator.
Does Colorado require mediation before a divorce trial?
Colorado courts frequently order or strongly encourage mediation as part of the case management process in contested divorce and parenting cases, often before a final, contested hearing. Whether mediation is required in a specific case depends on the judicial district and the case management order issued for that case. An attorney familiar with the local court’s practices can advise on what to expect.
Can mediation resolve child custody and parenting time disputes?
Yes. Colorado’s parenting statutes, including C.R.S. § 14-10-129.5, specifically contemplate mediation as a tool for resolving disputes over parenting time and decision-making responsibility. Parents can use mediation to negotiate an initial parenting plan or to resolve a specific disagreement that arises under an existing plan.
What is the difference between mediation and collaborative divorce?
In mediation, both parties work with a single neutral mediator who facilitates negotiation but represents neither side. In a collaborative divorce, each party retains their own attorney, and all parties and attorneys commit in writing to resolving the case without going to court. Both are alternatives to traditional litigation; the right choice depends on whether the parties want a neutral facilitator or their own dedicated legal advocate throughout the negotiation.
Do I still need my own attorney if I’m going through mediation?
It’s strongly recommended. A mediator is neutral and cannot advise either party on their legal rights. Having your own attorney review proposed terms before you sign ensures you understand what you’re agreeing to and what you may be giving up, even in an amicable mediation. Lewis & Matthews represents clients in this advisory capacity whether the mediation is conducted by our firm or by an independent mediator.
What happens if mediation doesn’t resolve every issue?
Parties can mediate some issues and leave others for the court to decide. A partial agreement narrows what needs to be litigated, which typically reduces the time and cost of the remaining court process. If mediation doesn’t resolve any issues, the parties proceed with their case through the standard litigation process.
Is mediation a good option if there’s a history of domestic violence or a significant power imbalance?
Not without significant safeguards, and in many cases, not at all. Mediation depends on both parties being able to negotiate freely and honestly. Where there is a documented history of domestic violence, coercive control, or a substantial power imbalance, mediation may not produce a fair or safe outcome. An attorney should screen for these issues before recommending mediation and advise on alternatives when mediation isn’t appropriate.
How is a mediated agreement made legally binding?
Once the parties reach agreement, it’s put in writing as a settlement agreement, separation agreement, or parenting plan. In a divorce or parenting case, that agreement is submitted to the court for approval. Once approved, it becomes a binding court order enforceable the same way as an order issued after trial.
Meet the Team
Meet the people that make Lewis & Matthews, P.C. a trusted firm.
Jennifer Lewis – Managing partner Jennifer Lewis has been helping people since she got her license in 1988. Since then, she has practiced law in both federal and state courts in Missouri, Colorado, and Kansas.
Ms. Lewis has taken on cases spanning different areas of practice, criminal law, estate planning and probate proceedings, personal injury and medical malpractice claims, zoning and land use planning, and general civil litigation. While her focus is family law, her knowledge of other areas has been extremely valuable to her clients.
Her approach places importance on patience, practicality, and compassion. This has helped countless clients navigate the challenges they face during family law concerns.
Amanda Huber – As a legal assistant, Amanda helps with the daily tasks of sending legal correspondence and documents, preparing court filings, and scheduling, among other tasks. Amanda joined the firm in 2022 and has helped clients in all phases of their divorce.
Prior to joining Lewis & Matthews, Amanda worked at an upscale country club in San Diego, where she was born and raised.
Outside of work you can find Amanda wine tasting, gardening, and spending time with her beloved cat, Waffles.
Counties We Serve
If you need family mediation in the following counties, we are the law firm of choice:
