Meet Jason F. Barnes
Description of Mediation Practice
Jason F. Barnes is a Utah Court Rostered Master Mediator, recognized for his extensive experience mediating a wide range of family law matters since 2010 (14 years as of 2024).
Jason’s legal career began in 1991 when he started working as a paralegal in his father’s law office before attending law school. This early experience laid a strong foundation for his future legal practice. Since becoming a family law attorney in 2002, Jason has accumulated over 22 years of experience as an attorney, with more than 33 years of combined experience in the legal field, as of 2024. His extensive background helps him guide parties through complex legal issues to reach effective and amicable resolutions.
Professional Background
As a seasoned family law attorney, Jason has extensive experience handling divorce and paternity cases involving child custody, child support, alimony, property division, debt division, and all other related divorce matters. He is highly focused on retirement division in divorces, including dividing retirements acquired through personal, private sector employment, State and Federal civil service employment, and military service. Additionally, Jason has experience in business law and has served as corporate counsel for several businesses.
Mediation Style and Approach
Jason employs a dynamic mediation style, blending evaluative, transformative, and facilitative techniques. This unique approach allows him to adapt to the needs of each case:
- Evaluative: Jason helps parties explore the strengths and weaknesses of their positions, offering insights to assess risks and potential outcomes, while maintaining neutrality and without advising or directing them on legal decisions.
- Transformative: In cases where relationships matter, Jason encourages open communication and understanding, helping parties not only resolve the dispute but improve their interactions and rebuild trust.
- Facilitative: Jason ensures both parties retain control over the outcome, fostering productive discussions and helping them craft their own mutually beneficial solutions.
Jason is known for his personable and easily approachable nature, which makes him a trusted mediator in emotionally charged cases. His calm, neutral demeanor and strong communication skills help de-escalate tensions, while his problem-solving and detail-oriented approach ensures that no aspect of the mediation is overlooked, whether involving child custody, property division, or retirement issues.
Areas of Mediation
Family Law
Paternity (all issues)
Divorce, including, but not limited to:
- Custody, Parent-time, Parenting plan, and Child Support
- Real Property
- Personal Property
- Alimony
- Division of Debt
- Business
- Retirement Division: QDRO, DRO, COAP (FERS/CSRS), RBCO (Thrift Savings Plan), MRPDO (Military retirement), Partition Order (Railroad Retirement).