What is Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process which gives partners who are separating the opportunity to make their own arrangements for the division of property, spousal support and care for their children, if any. Mediation aims to help partners find solutions that meet their needs and the needs of their children and that everyone involved feels is fair. Reaching agreement through mediation can avoid lengthy negotiation through lawyers or disputes in the courts. The content and process of mediation is confidential. Parties can talk freely and frankly in mediation with the knowledge that what occurs during mediation cannot be used in civil proceedings (with some limited exceptions). An agreement arrived through mediation can be formally adopted by the court and given the force of a court order.