Mediation
Mediation is a service offered to parents at various stages of the hearing process. Mediation services have been available to Domestic Relations cases since 1992. It is considered a voluntary program, as the parties must agree to participate or be referred into the program. Most of the cases referred to mediation were for issues of custody and companionship. Mediation allows for the parties to come up with a mutual agreement with the assistance of a trained third party.
The Domestic Relations Mediation Program has a two-fold benefit. The program is designed to allow divorcing parents, with the assistance of trained mediators, to resolve custody, companionship, visitation and parenting issues between the parties. This has a tremendous long-term benefit for the children of divorced parents. The second benefit is to the Court, as most cases resolved through mediation will not need to be tried before the Court.