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What is Family Mediation and how is it beneficial?
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Family mediation is a form of conflict resolution. It is a confidential process in which a trained, impartial person helps disputing parties communicate and understand their concerns and needs in a situation. The role of the mediator is to facilitate communication between the parties, encourage appropriate conversation, and manage uncomfortable situations.
Mediation gives all participants the opportunity to speak and be heard. The mediator helps you to identify the issues that need to be resolved, generate and consider possible solution options, reach a mutually agreeable solution and put the agreement into a written form.
Family mediation can be effective even if there is a great deal of conflict between parties. As the mediation process focuses on the future, it may enable parties to move their relationships forward in a more positive way. Mediation is a voluntary process and may be stopped by either party, or by the mediator, if deemed necessary.
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How does the role of a mediator differ from that of an attorney or counselor?
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The goal of mediation is the resolution of a specific set of issues you present to the mediator. Mediation is different from counseling and therapy, as a mediator may focus attention away from the past in order to assist the parties in making specific plans for the present and future.
Although a mediator can give you information about the legal process, mediators cannot give legal advice or draft legal documents. Consulting with an attorney is always advisable when making legal decisions. If applicable, you would be responsible for making sure that any agreement you reach in mediation is in compliance with the law.
The mediator maintains a neutral role and does not take sides or push for any one solution. The mediator cannot give financial advice, does not pass judgement on what is right or wrong, and has no decision-making authority. Mediation is based on the voluntary cooperation and good faith participation of all parties.
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Who initiates the Mediation Process?
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Family mediation may be used in any situation where the parties themselves cannot resolve a conflict. In some cases, mediation may be ordered by the court. Common situations for family mediation include: domestic matters (custody and visitation, property settlement, and child support), conflicts within traditional and blended families, extended family disagreements, conflicts between siblings regarding the care of an elder parent, juvenile disputes within school settings or with school personnel, and parent/teen conflicts. In mediation, you work out your own solutions to your differences. To learn more about how family mediation could benefit you, please contact us at 404-992-7497.
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