Mediation is a term that gets thrown around a lot in a family law case. Mediation is formal negotiation. In the family law context, that means that one party and their attorney are in one room, the other party and their attorney are in another, and a mediator goes back and forth and shuttle diplomacy style tries to reach an agreement between the parties. The goal of mediation is to reach what's called a mediated settlement agreement. A mediated settlement agreement is a very unique instrument and that once the parties sign it, it's done. You can't take it back. There is no buyer's remorse, no backsies. You are stuck with that agreement, but that also gives you a lot of assurance and that, you know, going forward, that's how things are going to be. Mediation gives parties a unique ability to be the masters of their own fate. It allows them to reach creative solutions and figure out together how you are going to live your life, either divorced or whatever family law issues you're currently dealing with, you can come up with solutions and mediation that a court can't. Courts are bound by certain things and what they can and can't do in mediation, you're freed to be as creative as you want to be. Mediation is frequently required in your family law case, and if you are going through a family law case yourself, it's something that you very well may be coming across.
By
Diggs & Sadler
