Mediation is a process

Mediation can happen once or over multiple sessions.  I have found that oftentimes, at least one party is convinced that mediation will be a waste of time and money only to find afterward that it was actually a process worth having.  In fact, and to their surprise, these same people frequently decide that an additional mediation session or sessions would be helpful and less costly than litigating when some but not all agreements have been reached during an initial session.  It can be very positive for parties to work through their disagreements with a mediator — especially when parties will have ongoing contact with each other.  In cases where children are involved, when parents are able to resolve their issues without involving the court, the positive effect on the children and family overall are profound.  Consider mediation when you have a legal dispute and give it a try before you decide it won’t work for you!