Mediation is a process in which an impartial third party facilitates communication and negotiation and promotes voluntary decision-making by the parties to the dispute.
Mediation serves various purposes, including providing the opportunity for parties to define and clarify issues, understand different perspectives, identify interests, explore and assess possible solutions, and reach mutually satisfactory agreements…
Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators
Divorce mediation is effective because it focuses on:
- the present and the future, rather than on the past;
- the positive rather than on the negative;
- shared interests and goals, rather than on differences;
- solutions rather than on problems.
Mediation empowers both you and your spouse to create a better future by concentrating on the things that you can change, rather than dwelling on the problems of the past. This is not to say that the past is not important–the past shapes who you are, how you think, how you feel, and how you will deal with issues in your divorce. However, whenever issues from the past stand in the way of effective communication and problem-solving, mediation provides a safe environment where both of you can openly express your needs, interests, feelings, and concerns, thereby promoting greater understanding, acceptance and cooperation.
In divorce mediation, the ultimate determination of what is appropriate, acceptable, and fair is determined by you and your spouse, not by attorneys, judges or other strangers. The role of the divorce mediator is to facilitate, educate, guide, and support both of you, not to make decisions for you. Therefore, mediation empowers each of you to take control of your divorce, your future, and the future of your family.
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending
Anonymous
If you have children, mediation will help both of you to communicate constructively and respectfully with each other; to separate your role as parents from your role as former spouses; and to focus on the best interests of your children. Therefore, mediation empowers both of you to effectively co-parent your children, which, in turn, greatly improves the likelihood that your children will make a healthy adjustment to your divorce.