A family mediator is a professional who helps you resolve issues within your family. They’re not therapists who specialize in family issues. Family mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that uses a third-party to help you work out your differences. A family mediation session is usually scheduled for one or two days during which time the mediator sits with you and your family members and leads discussions about what’s upsetting you and how you can work together to resolve the issues. The mediation doesn’t have to be formal and can be as simple as a conversation between the parties present and the mediator. Family mediation can help you save money and time, address your issues quickly and privately and help you avoid going to court. Here are some things to know about family mediation before you commit to it:
The goal of mediation is to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution to your dispute. You might come to mediation with the hopes of reaching a settlement, or you might prefer to work through the issues and see if you can resolve them without a signed agreement. Mediation is a voluntary process, and you can end it at any time. In most cases, the mediator will encourage you to settle on the best agreement you can come up with based on your current circumstances. If you don’t reach a settlement, you can end the mediation. If you do reach a settlement, you’ll sign a written agreement that includes all the details of your agreement.
Family mediators come from many different backgrounds and have many different areas of expertise. Some mediators are lawyers, some are social workers, some are mental health professionals and some are trained in both law and social work. Family mediators are trained to work with families in a wide range of circumstances. Some mediators specialize in certain types of families, such as same-sex couples or blended families, and others can help with any type of family dispute.
During the mediation, you and your family will sit down with the mediator and discuss the issues that are causing conflict. The mediator is not a judge and does not make decisions. The mediator’s job is to help you and your family talk through the issues, find common ground and come up with a solution that works for everyone. If you and your family are able to come to a resolution during the mediation, the mediator will write up a short report that will be given to all the parties. If you and your family are not able to come to a resolution, the mediator will help you decide if you need to go to court and will write a report about why you were unable to reach a settlement.
Family mediation can help you save time and money. Mediation is faster than going to court and can help you avoid the stress of a trial. Family mediation is also less expensive than going to court. Family mediation is private, so you don’t have to go before a judge and you can resolve your issues away from the public eye. Family mediation can help you resolve issues that might have otherwise led to a nasty court battle that might have hurt your relationship. Family mediation can help you resolve issues such as child custody, spousal support, division of assets and other issues that might have otherwise led to a nasty divorce.
Family mediation isn’t appropriate for everyone. It’s not appropriate if you’re in a combative relationship or if you have a history of violence. It’s also not appropriate if you’re dealing with a sensitive issue, such as child sexual abuse. Family mediation isn’t appropriate if you have a history of substance abuse, if you have a history of domestic violence or if you have a history of fraud or dishonesty. Family mediation isn’t appropriate if you are dealing with an issue that might require a judge or jury to decide. Family mediation isn’t appropriate if you don’t trust the other party or if you don’t trust the mediator.
Family mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution that uses a third-party to help you work out your differences. A family mediation session is usually scheduled for one or two days during which time the mediator sits with you and your family members and leads discussions about what’s upsetting you and how you can work together to resolve the issues. The mediation doesn’t have to be formal and can be as simple as a conversation between the parties present and the mediator. Family mediation can help you save time and money, address your issues quickly and privately and help you avoid going to court. It’s a voluntary process, and you can end it at any time. In most cases, the mediator will encourage you to settle on the best agreement you can come up with based on your current circumstances. If you don’t reach a settlement, you can end the mediation. If you do reach a settlement, you’ll sign a written agreement that includes all the details of your agreement.