Bringing Experts into the Mediation Process~ 4 min read
Experts can be helpful in Mediation when you and your spouse need support understanding the value of assets or need guidance on financial, property, or practical issues. Bringing in experts during Mediation is often faster and far less expensive than relying on the court to resolve the same questions.
Why Experts Can Be Helpful During Mediation
Mediation works best when you have clear information. When a decision involves valuations, financial questions, or specialized knowledge, an expert can help you and your spouse understand the situation more fully. This makes your discussions easier and helps you explore options instead of getting stuck on uncertainty.
A common example is getting a home appraisal. Your house is often one of the largest assets you share. If you and your spouse cannot agree on its value, an appraiser can give you a clear number to work from. Sometimes each of you may choose to get your own appraisal and compare results. Appraisers are often one of the more affordable expert services used in Mediation.
How Financial and Business Experts Support the Process
Financial professionals can also support you during Mediation. They may explain retirement accounts, help answer questions about unusual assets, or assist the attorneys when something is difficult to divide. For example, you may have an annuity that cannot be split, and a financial expert can help you understand your options. The same is true for retirement accounts or investments that come with specific rules.
If you or your spouse owns a business and you cannot agree on its value, a business evaluator may be needed. You can agree together to hire one, receive a valuation, and even have the evaluator attend Mediation to discuss the results. This allows both of you to make decisions based on accurate information instead of assumptions.
When Mental Health Professionals Are Useful
There are situations where a mental health professional may be involved in the Mediation process. This may occur when concerns arise about someone’s wellbeing or when an allegation requires professional input. Whether you and your spouse choose to involve a mental health expert depends on the circumstances, but your mediator may discuss when it might be helpful.
These experts may provide evaluations or recommendations that support your discussions, even if they do not attend the session themselves.
Why Using Experts in Mediation Saves Time and Money
Bringing experts into Mediation is almost always less expensive than relying on the court. When you turn to the court system, you may face multiple motions, hearings, and procedural requirements before anything gets resolved. This takes time and increases attorney fees.
In Mediation, you and your spouse agree on the expert ahead of time. That expert shares information directly with both of you, often more quickly. This keeps your discussions focused, decreases confusion, and helps you move forward. This level of cooperation reduces conflict and lowers the overall cost of resolving your case.
The Mediator’s Role in Suggesting Experts
Your mediator may recognize when involving an expert would help move the conversation forward. While you and your spouse must agree before bringing in any specialist, the mediator’s neutral recommendation can be valuable. They may suggest an appraiser, a financial professional, a mental health expert, or another specialist when they believe additional information would support progress.
These suggestions are meant to be helpful, not to take sides. Because the mediator is neutral, you may feel more comfortable considering their recommendations.
Contact Family Ally
If you have questions about how experts can support the Mediation process, Family Ally can help. Call Jennifer Piper at 314-449-9800 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Family Ally is located at 130 S. Bemiston Ave., Suite 608, St. Louis, MO 63105.
FAQ’s
1. Do you and your spouse both have to agree before bringing in an expert?
Yes. Experts are included in Mediation only when both of you agree to use them.
2. Can an expert attend a Mediation session?
Yes. Some experts, such as appraisers or financial professionals, may attend to help explain their findings.
3. Is using experts during Mediation usually less expensive than involving the court?
Yes. Mediation avoids court filings, hearings, and delays, which lowers the overall cost.
4. What if you need a business valuation?
You and your spouse can agree to hire a neutral business evaluator who prepares a report and may attend Mediation to answer questions.
Jennifer R. Piper is a family law attorney, mediator, and parenting coordinator with more than 20 years of experience serving families in the St. Louis area. She is certified as a Guardian ad Litem and frequently appointed by courts to represent children in high-conflict cases. Jennifer is a former Chair of the Family and Juvenile Law Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and an active leader in local and state bar organizations.
Her professional recognition includes being named to The Best Lawyers in America® (2017–2025), Missouri Super Lawyers (2021–2024), and receiving a Women’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Jennifer also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She regularly speaks on family law topics and has helped shape family court procedures through her service on multiple committees.
