Family Mediation & Benefits

Family mediation is a confidential process used by members of a family who need help in solving important issues that often revolve around separation or divorce and parenting. A mediator meets privately with family members and helps them settle their issues in ways upon which they both can agree. Participants remain in control of what is happening, making all the decisions.

The mediator does not make judgments, determine facts, nor decide outcomes. Rather, the mediator provides a setting in which participants can identify options and find solutions best suited to their situation. No decision is made unless and until it is acceptable to all participants. Once agreement is reached, the mediator can create a document to provide to an attorney for filing with the court.

MEDIATION BENEFITS

• Control over what happens to people’s future, finances, children, and businesses stays with the parties, not a judge.
• Confidentiality is a central principle of mediation. Personal information does not become part of a public record, and private business stays private.
• Durability in the agreements reached–mediated settlements have more “staying-power” than those imposed by a court. People are much more likely to comply with decisions that they have agreed to themselves.
• Time and money saved in completing resolution of the issues. Mediation can spare people years of the stress, uncertainty, and strain that they would experience in court. Mediation is much more cost effective than two attorneys and a court battle.
• Collaboration in dealing with difficult issues. Mediation provides a constructive and civil alternative to the anger, hostility, and frustration that characterize adversarial approaches.