Mediation is a process in which a professionally trained neutral third party assists parents in developing an agreement that provides for the care of their children during and after separation. The goal of the mediation process is to provide the litigant a forum to discuss parenting issues that involve both parents in the continuing care of their children. The agreement focuses on the children?s needs as well as the on the rights and responsibilities of both parents.
The mediator will provide a process by which parents may have discussion toward how the children will be cared for by each parent in the future. Parents are encouraged to be primarily focused on the future rather than dwell on past events, which have been difficult for them. The mediator is trained in facilitating dispute resolution and has been employed by the courts for that purpose. The mediator?s role is to manage conflicts and to facilitate discussion. Parents are encouraged to discuss their own desires and plans for the present as well as the future. Both parents, and on rare occasions, the children, are brought into the process. To help the parents reach an agreement the mediator remains neutral and balanced. The mediator does not dictate the terms of the agreement, but assists the parties in developing their own agreement after full discussion of the issues affecting the child?s health, education and welfare.
Comments