Mediation

The mediator acts as a neutral guide, helping parties communicate effectively, identify interests, and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator does not offer opinions or recommendations but instead encourages collaboration and informed decision-making.

In this approach, the mediator takes a more directive role, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s position and, when necessary, providing recommendations or reality-checks based upon the mediator’s knowledge of the law and the court system. This approach is particularly useful in cases where parties need guidance on likely court outcomes.

This form of mediation combines the facilitative and evaluative approaches. The mediator encourages open dialogue, helping parties express their needs, clarify misunderstandings, and collaboratively reach mutually beneficial agreements while also providing reality-checks, and assessments of potential court outcomes to guide parties toward informed decisions.

Child-inclusive mediation is a specialized process that prioritizes the well-being of children in family disputes, such as custody and parenting time arrangements. This approach involves a trained mediator and, often, a child specialist who helps bring the child’s voice into the mediation in a developmentally appropriate way. This method ensures that children feel heard while protecting them from direct involvement in parental negotiations.