Family Division
Divorce/Parenting Mediation
Dealing with domestic disputes
is often painful. Courts are often not in the best position to make decisions
about family matters. Mediation eases the difficulty of the court process. It
gives parties a chance to talk together about how to resolve the matters in a
way that address both present and future needs in a manner that is acceptable to
everyone involved. It can reduce
stress and uncertainty.
Mediation in this
program is an informal process where parties try to resolve a dispute without
the hostility that is sometimes associated with going to court.
In mediation, the parties meet in a private, confidential setting to work
out a solution to their problem with the help of a neutral third person, the
mediator. A mediator does not
decide who is right or wrong. The mediator does not force the disputing parties to reach
agreement or to accept particular settlement terms. The mediator helps each side to better understand their
situation. The mediator fosters a
problem solving atmosphere and lessens the temptation to engage in unproductive
behavior; the mediator ensures that each of
the parties to the dispute has an opportunity to be heard and understood; and
the mediator encourages the parties to create a solution that meets their
individual needs.
