Overview of Wells Mediation Services

Kristi Anderson Wells is an experienced family law attorney with a proven record of resolving cases throughout her career. Kristi’s background includes 30+ years of successful legal practice in family law litigation, mediation, corporate law, employee benefits, trusts and estates, taxation and executive compensation. In addition, Kristi is Collaboratively trained. That means when you engage Wells Mediation Services you are engaging the mediator who knows how to get even the most complex family law cases settled.

Background and Training

Kristi is a triple graduate of the University of Washington, having earned a B.A. in Journalism, a Juris Doctor degree in Law, and an LL.M (Master of Laws) in Taxation. Prior to transitioning to family law full time, Kristi practiced in a number of Big Law firms across the country, serving Fortune 500 companies in various capacities including taxation, benefits and executive compensation. She also provided support for corporate mergers and acquisitions practices. This background has provided her with a unique ability to address complex issues in family law cases.

Kristi has earned Tier One Best Law Firm according to U.S. News and World Report, has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2022 in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law, has been selected as a Colorado Super Lawyer every year since 2015, Top 50 Woman Colorado Super Lawyers 2016-2026, and Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyers 2021-2026. She maintains a “Superb” rating from Avvo and an AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She a former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association, past President of the Board of Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals, and a Fellow of the Academy of Collaborative Divorce Professionals. Kristi has served on the Family Law Section Executive Council since 2018.

Kristi is recognized throughout Colorado as the authority on dividing executive compensation and stock rights in a Colorado divorce. She is co-author of The Executive Compensation Handbook: Stock Option Awards, Restricted Stock Grants, Cash Bonuses, Incentives and Other Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation in Divorce published by the American Bar Association. Kristi has also authored a two-part Primer on Executive Compensation in a Colorado Divorce for the Colorado Lawyer (May and June 2022). She is a contributing author to the Family Law Bench Bar Book, a publication relied upon by judges and family law practitioners alike. She speaks frequently at continuing legal education programs on a variety of domestic relations topics. In addition, Kristi provides expert consulting services analyzing, valuing and dividing stock options, restricted stock, and other forms of executive compensation.

In the complex cases Kristi’s practice encompasses, she has experience with issues such as: dividing legal, medical, dental and engineering practices; real estate investment portfolios; real estate development companies; closely held businesses; federal and state taxation; self-employment income; trust interests; attorney fees; custody and parenting time disputes; maintenance and child support issues; pre-nuptial, marital and co-habitation agreements; and separate property claims.

Services

Mediation. Kristi’s practice focuses on guiding parties to mutually acceptable solutions. She believes that litigation should be a last resort for families. As a result, Kristi is available to provide neutral, third-party, mediation services to families. She provides full or half day mediation slots for represented parties in complex divorce or legal separation matters.

Arbitration. Kristi is available to accept arbitration appointments under C.R.S. 13-22-201, et seq. Kristi does not currently accept appointments to serve as a Parenting Coordinator under C.R.S. 14-10-128.1 or a Decision-Maker under C.R.S. 14-10-128.3

Special Master. Kristi is available to accept Special Master appointments under C..R.C.P. Rule 53.

Consulting. Kristi provides consulting services on issues ranging from second opinion or litigation consultations in Collaborative cases, analysis and characterization of executive compensation and stock rights, trust interests, and the reasonableness and necessity of attorney fees.

Collaborative Divorce Facilitator. Approximately 50% of Kristi’s practice involves Collaborate Law cases under the Uniform Collaborative Law Act. Kristi’s extensive experience in Collaborative Law makes her the ideal choice to serve as the CDF in your Collaborative divorce or legal separation.

Scheduling

You or your attorney can call or send me an email. I can be reached at (303) 309-1077. My email is kristi@wellsfamilylawcolorado.com. Alternatively, you can reach out to Julie Clemmer at julie@wellsfamilylawcoloraco.com or (303) 309-1077.