Mediation is a voluntary process that allows parties in a dispute to resolve their issues in a structured way with the assistance of an impartial mediator. Typical issues relating to family, custody and divorce disputes are child care, support and decision making with respect to children, property valuation and division, spousal maintenance and all other related issues necessary for final resolution of the dispute.
The mediator conducts a series of meetings to help the parties gather the necessary information, outline the issues which must be addressed and to ensure that the interests and concerns of both parties are considered. The mediator works with the parties in generating options for resolution that will meet the needs of each party as much as possible. The mediator does not make decisions for the parties, but structures their communication and helps them make the decisions necessary to resolve their dispute in a businesslike manner according to their own barometer of fairness. The result is a written settlement, prepared by the mediator, which will meet the legal requirements of the court.
Mediation is not therapy and the purpose of mediation is not to reconcile the parties. Couples who are unsure about whether to divorce are advised to consult with a qualified marriage counselor.
