Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary process by which couples, employers, employees, and others in disputes are helped to communicate and resolve conflicts rgarding their futures.
Many people prefer to negotiate their own disagreements and disputes with the assistance of a mediator rather than putting their decisions in the hands of the courts. By making the choice to use legally recognized alternative dispute resolution methods, people are taught to communicate better and to minimize conflict whilst ensuring that future arrangements are tailor-made to suit their needs.
Rather than having a judge/jury decide the outcome, everyone has a chance to discuss their needs and be an active part of the resolution process. This process is appropriate for couples, business partners, neighbors, employers, and employees. This is done in the presence of a trained and impartial mediator who can help them consider all the available options for resolution. A mediator is often able to ascertain and separate the wants from the needs and help the parties to come to a win-win outcome.
Family mediators ensure couples have the information (legal processes, the affects of separation and divorce on their children, etc.) needed to reach informed decisions about the future of their families.
Lawyers are welcome at the mediations to work as advocates and experts for their clients. All parties must agree to partake in the mediation process with the mediator.