Mediation FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens in mediation?
A: The basic principal of mediation is to enable clients to make their own informed decisions. While the mediator is in charge of the process, the parties are in charge of the outcome. The mediator helps the parties to be sure that they have all the information necessary to make a decision and then helps them create a solution unique to their situation.
Q: What types of disputes are right for mediation?
A: Family Law Mediation deals with issues between family members, spouses, unmarried partners, children, adult children, step families, adoptive parents and birth parents. The more common types of family mediation services are:
- DIVORCE AND SEPARATION: All issues related to divorce and separation including child custody and parenting time, property and debt division, child and spousal support.
- ELDER LAW: Issues about the care of elderly parents, elder abuse, managing costs, estate planning and inheritance, especially where adult children disagree with each other or their parents.
- GAY AND LESBIAN: Issues related to co ownership of assets, joint debts, estate planning and the dissolution of interests upon separation.
- OPEN ADOPTION: (Private or state sponsored) Issues related to sharing information and contact between a birth parent or relative and the child and his or her adoptive family.
- POST DIVORCE: Issues related to the post judgment transfer of assets and payment of debts or changes to child or spousal support, parenting time, custody, college expenses, child finances or moves out of state, etc.
- PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS: Issues related to the legal rights and responsibilities that accompany marriage.
- PROBATE AND ESTATE LAW: Issues between persons inheriting probate assets following the death of a loved one.
- STEP FAMILY: Issues dealing specifically with new family members, house rules, relationships.
- TEENAGERS: Issues between parents and older children including house rules, school attendance and grades, choices and behavior, etc.
- UNMARRIED PARTNERS: Issues similar to divorce with due consideration of the differences in legal status.
