What is mediation, precisely?
Mediation is a technique of settling conflicts between parties outside of court. You are in control of the mediation, not the attorneys or the mediator. A mediator is a neutral third person who serves as a channel for the parties’ views. He/she may or may not be a lawyer, but he/she is not permitted to provide legal advice to anybody. He/she is neither an arbitrator or a judge, and everything spoken during the mediation will remain confidential. If your case includes domestic violence, the mediator has received specialized training in this area. The mediator may not be subpoenaed as a witness, and nothing spoken during the mediation may be used in court as evidence. If the mediation ends early or does not result in an agreement, you have the right to go to trial and resolve the dispute in front of a judge.
When is it appropriate to use mediation?
Always try to settle a legal issue via mediation or arbitration before proceeding to court. Attending court may be nerve-wracking since you never know what will happen. ADR, which encompasses mediation and arbitration, is gaining popularity as a means of resolving conflicts.
Cost of Mediation
While the cost of a mediator is similar to that of an attorney, the mediation procedure is much faster than traditional legal proceedings. A dispute resolved by a lawyer, or a court may take months or even years, while mediation often takes only a few hours. Reduced time spent on hourly fees and expenses equates to decreased costs.
Confidentiality
Mediation is completely confidential, in contrast to court proceedings, which are open to the public. Only the disputants and the mediator or mediators are aware of what occurred. Owing to the significance of confidentiality in mediation, a mediator cannot be forced to testify in court about the substance or progress of mediation. Many mediators immediately delete the notes they took during the mediation. Child abuse and actual or threatened criminal actions are the only exceptions to such stringent secrecy.
Control
Mediation confers more influence on the parties over the ultimate result. In a legal disagreement, the parties negotiate a settlement, but the judge or jury retains authority. Oftentimes, the legal remedies that arise via mediation are inaccessible to a judge or jury. Consequently, mediation has a greater possibility of reaching an agreement between the parties.
Compliance
Compliance with the mediated agreement is often high, as the parties work together to achieve an amicable resolution. Even more than that, the parties save money since they do not need to hire an attorney to enforce the agreement. On the other hand, the mediated agreement is enforceable in a court of law.
Mutuality
Participants in mediation are usually willing to cooperate to find a solution. The willingness to mediate indicates that the parties are ready to “modify” their positions. Consequently, the parties are more receptive to understanding the other’s perspective and resolving the disagreement’s underlying problems. This also often results in the preservation of the parties’ connection prior to the disagreement.
Support
Mediators have been educated to deal with circumstances with high levels of stress. The mediator, as an impartial facilitator, helps the parties throughout the process. The mediator assists the parties in thinking “beyond the box” in potential conflict resolutions, thus expanding their options.
What should be paid attention to during mediation
Remarks introductory (First Session)
There will be an opportunity for questions and responses after the explanation of mediation. The mediator agreement has been signed. The basic mediation standards are discussed. The customer acceptance form has been completed. Any agreements reached so far are used to initiate the mediation process. The agenda for the following session is set, and homework is assigned. Worksheets are included to help you in developing your Parenting Plan.
Parenting Techniques (Second Session)
The session will begin with each spouse’s Parenting Plan and kid visitation. If both partners are prepared, one session is sufficient to cover the Parenting Plan. The Parenting Plan is divided into the following sections:
- Possession (concerns the main areas of religious instruction, elective medical treatment, and education decision-making.)
- We offer weekly, summer and holiday access options.
- If there are children involved, the mediator may want to speak with them and provide them with an opportunity to participate in the proceedings.
- You may have additional worries as a parent. If there is much disagreement on a lot of topics, more sessions may be needed.
- Must resolve their assets and obligations, and prepare a cash flow budget as homework.
Financial Dispute Resolution (The Third Session)
If the financial settlement is complicated and unclear, you can contact a registered divorce financial analyst. Financial Analysts will offer you accurate asset allocation and budgetary forecasts. When there are disputes or impasses over assets, the mediator may be able to help. Couples may have the greatest difficulty dividing personal belongings with strong emotional attachments. Depending on the nature of the problems and the complexity of the assets, several sessions may be required. Couples with modest assets are more likely to reach an agreement quickly (in one session).
