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| Mediation is a way to settle differences through a voluntary settlement process without a courtroom battle. A mediator is an impartial person who helps people in conflict make practical, informed decisions to resolve the issues before them, and to reach an agreement which each party feels is fair and reasonable. If the couple cannot reach agreement, the mediator does not impose a decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Advantages of Mediation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mediation presents many advantages over traditional litigation.
• It is typically less expensive and time-consuming than litigation. • The setting is informal and confidential, avoiding public exposure of personal matters. • Participants can express and discuss their thoughts and feelings about the fairness of any proposed agreement. • Participants have control over their agreements. In a contested setting, a judge will impose a decision on the couple if they cannot agree. This will not happen in mediation. • Since agreements are reached voluntarily, participants usually feel satisfied with the outcome. • Participants are generally committed to carrying out their obligations under the agreement because the agreement is theirs and not something imposed upon them from the outside. • Mediation helps people faced with the breakup of their families to feel more in control of their lives and the manner in which they separate. Working towards an agreement fair to both parties help to increase communication and trust between the parties. This is especially important for couples with children, since they will have to maintain a relationship as parents long after the divorce is over. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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