Kohler offers help through mediation

Family crises, such as marriage dissolution and child custody are becoming more and more common today. Those types of cases almost always end up in court, but a Linton woman is offering a different approach.

LuAnn Kohler, an Indiana Supreme Court-recognized domestic relations mediator, received 40-hour domestic relations mediation training from the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation in October 2004.

Kohler helps people talk through and solve their problems. She helps them come to a decision on their own, and a decision that both parties can agree on.

Kohler noted that when a situation ends up in the court system, someone has to be the loser. However, with mediation, she said, in the end both parties can be winners.

There are several situations where Kohler's mediation services can be beneficial.

"People who are going through divorce or child custody or child support difficulties or guardianship situations where the children may be in danger in the homes, or things like that," Kohler said. "When there is family crises, a lot of people look to the court system to solve that.

"When they have the opportunity to have a lawyer, go through the court system, have their trial and have their date in court and have a judge decide for them. Whether or not a case has been filed in court is irrelevant, my job as a mediator is to facilitate a resolution between the people that is the best resolution.

"It's best, in my opinion that the family make the decision."

As a mediator, Kohler said, she does not advocate for either party. She said she helps both parties come to an agreement.

If children are involved, what is best for the children is Kohler's main focus. If children are not involved, Kohler's focus is finding what is best for both parties and reaching a resolution both parties can live with.

She also noted that individuals with a lawyer can also use mediation. But, she noted, mediation cannot be done with one person. It must include both parties.

California is the nation's top mediation state, according to Kohler. Statistically, she said, California has more divorce and child custody cases than any other state, with an average divorce costing around $30,000. One reason mediation is so popular in the Golden State, Kohler said, is because it offers a less expensive approach to divorce. She said if divorce is a money issue, using mediation can often be less expensive.

Kohler has accreditation to draw up dissolution papers. She received domestic relations mediation training from family law attorneys, child psychologists and family psychologists, and is accredited by the Indiana Supreme Court to conduct mediation sessions in 11 Indiana counties including Greene, Clay, Sullivan, Daviess, Owen and Knox.

She said she is willing to travel to do mediation sessions; however, she noted that mediation sessions may be done in any neutral environment. Those seeking mediation can also have sessions at Linton attorney Tim Shonk's office.

Kohler, a paralegal for Shonk, stressed that her services are in no way connected to Shonk or his law firm. The option to hold sessions at his law office are solely because it's her place of employment.

Kohler's fees are $100 per hour, with a typical session lasting two to four hours. The fees may seem a little high at first, but they're rather inexpensive when compared to other mediators in the area. Mediators in nearby Bloomington charge between $125 and $175 per hour.

She said the fees are very reasonable when compared to fees assessed if situations go to court. She said if the situation would go to court, each party would be responsible for at least $1,500.

Kohler received a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in communications in 1988 from Bethany College in West Virginia. She received a paralegal degree in 1998 from Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio. She received a law degree, with a litigation concentration, in May 2003 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan.

To set up mediation sessions, contact Kohler at 847-9500.