What Is Family Law Mediation?

Family law mediation is a process that involves the two disputing parties and a third party mediator. Mediators are neutral third parties and they do not provide legal advice during mediation. Instead, they attempt to foster compromise and communication between the two parties that are involved in a legal dispute. The mediator also does not make any decisions. All decisions are made by the disputing parties, although the mediator is a great help to the people that have to make these decisions. If an agreement is reached during mediation, the agreement is drafted and submitted to the court for approval.

Why Should We Consider Mediation Instead of Going To Court in Ohio?

The simple answers are costs, and control. The moment you walk into a court you relinquish all control over the ultimate outcome of any legal issue. A stranger will impose a solution that you must live with, and the associated costs (and time involved) are usually steep.

A legal mediation usually results in 4 to 5 ideas or suggestions to resolve the issue. An experienced mediator can provide a fresh perspective, while helping to establish a more positive and constructive environment for resolving genuine problems or areas of disagreement. Often, couples approaching a divorce have agreed upon or resolved most of the legal issues relating to the children, assets and liabilities, but there might be two or three areas of genuine disagreement. Mediation can help to resolve those remaining areas in a faster timeframe and much lower cost than divorce proceedings, while helping the couple to maintain control over their own destiny and find a solution that will work for their unique family environment.

Many people choose mediation over litigation for the sheer cost-effectiveness of it. When mediation is over in just a few sessions, a divorce can be finalized within a matter of weeks. Perhaps even more importantly for people with family legal issues, the cost is usually only a few hundred dollars, compared to the thousands of dollars that are typically spent during litigation. Mediation is not only faster, but it also does not have the same court fees, attorney’s fees, and other costs, which makes it a much more affordable option for many.

Tips For Successful Mediation Sessions

Mediation is a great option that can keep certain facts of the case confidential, and can keep the costs of resolving a legal issue down. However, there are ways you can help ensure that your mediation sessions are successful. These include:

• Working with an experienced divorce lawyer: Just because you are going through mediation to resolve your issues does not mean you should not still protect your rights. An attorney will advise on the recommendations made by the mediator, and will still protect your best interests at all times. Once you are finished with mediation, your lawyer will also review any agreements made, and verify that they are what you agreed to. A lawyer can also help you finalize the divorce after the mediation process.
• Know what you want to cover: When working with a lawyer, they will also help you create a list of topics you want to review and resolve during mediation. Talking about family law issues can quickly become emotional and if you have a list that includes everything you wanted to cover, it will help you remain on track and ensure all the issues important to you are addressed.
• Choose the right mediator: There are many different mediators out there and they all have their own style when fostering compromise and communication. You need a mediator that you can trust, as you will be sharing some of the most personal details of your life with them. This is another benefit of working with a lawyer, as an attorney will know of mediators in the area, and help you choose the best one.
• Commit to the process: Mediation is only successful when both parties are committed to reach an equitable and aggregable solution. While you cannot control the other party, you can make sure that you have the best intentions for mediation, and be dedicated to making it work.