Family mediation is a process where a neutral third party facilitates communication between family members to help them resolve conflict. It can be used to address a wide variety of issues, including divorce, child custody, and property division.
Family Mediation: What to Expect
An objective, fully qualified, and accredited family mediator in a closed mediation meeting will help both parties establish a family law agreement.
Family mediation can resolve parenting disputes, concerns relating to child support obligations, and property division rules.
All mediation cases must go through what is known as Pre-Mediation, which is designed to determine whether entering mediation is appropriate for your set of circumstances.
During Pre-Mediation, a mediator will meet with you and your spouse separately to identify your issues and determine whether mediation can help you resolve them. If your mediator recommends mediation, you and your spouse will sign an Agreement to Mediate.
The nature of the mediation sessions you’ll attend will be indicated in this document, so you’ll know what to expect from your upcoming mediation sessions. Throughout the mediation process, lawyers can provide helpful services such as:
- Legal counsel before the mediation
- Helping you decide on mediation
- Advice on legal documents and how to utilize them in mediation
- Attending your mediation appointments if the other side agrees
- Reviewing your mediated agreement
- Helping with post-mediation concerns
Your mediator will assess the challenges and obstacles during family mediation. They’ll bring both sides to a table to discuss their requirements and challenges, urging them to negotiate and discover solutions they can both agree on.
Benefits of Family Mediation
Mediation has various advantages over litigation for conflict resolution. First, it’s cheaper and faster than going to court. Second, it lets family members decide their dispute’s outcome rather than a judge or jury. Mediation can also help preserve family bonds, especially when children are involved.
In this article, let’s look at the five benefits of family mediation and why it’s necessary.
1. Cost-Effective Way to Settle Disputes
Mediation is typically less expensive than litigation, as it does not require the same level of attorney involvement. In addition, mediation can often be completed in a shorter time frame than litigation.
2. Allows Parties to Maintain Control over the Outcome
In mediation, the parties can make their own decisions about the outcome of the dispute rather than having a judge or jury make those decisions for them. This can be especially important in family disputes, where the parties may have a long history together and want to maintain a relationship after the dispute is resolved.
3. Helps Preserve Relationships
Mediation can help parties resolve their disputes to preserve their relationships. This is especially important in family disputes, where the parties may have a long history together and want to maintain a relationship after the dispute is resolved.
4. Confidential
Mediation is a confidential process, which means the parties can discuss sensitive issues without fear of publicizing those discussions. This can be important in family disputes, where the parties may want to keep the details of their dispute private.
5. Flexible
Mediation is flexible, meaning the parties can tailor the process to their specific needs and interests. This can be important in family disputes, where the parties may want to address issues in the best way for their family.
Conclusion
Find an experienced, competent mediator if you’re considering mediation to resolve a family conflict. You should also ensure that all parties involved are willing to participate in the mediation process in good faith. With the help of a skilled mediator, mediation can be an effective way to resolve family conflict.
If you need a family mediation law firm dedicated to protecting your family’s best interests, Dreyer and Associates Family Lawyers LLP is the one to call. We have been servicing families throughout the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland with a wide range of expertise in family law, wills and estates, and residential conveyancing. Contact us today!
