Simply put, mediation is an opportunity to stay out of court and to resolve your legal issue with the help of an outsider who is not emotionally attached to your dispute.
More formally, mediation is a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that involves a neutral third party who helps parties to a dispute by facilitating discussions that might allow the parties to reach an agreement. Mediation is a cooperative problem-solving process in which a neutral professional helps people in conflict clearly define the issues in dispute and to reach agreements that are in the best interests of their family.
The mediator is NOT a fact finder; the mediator does not make decisions or tell the parties what they must do. Instead, the mediator’s job is to help identify issues and explore options that might work for the situation. The mediator is a neutral, which means that the mediator does not advocate or represent either of the parties. Your mediator may or may not be a licensed attorney. You might intentionally choose a mediator who does NOT have a legal background. You might choose someone with a background in psychology or child development if your disputes are related to how your children are adjusting. You might select a mediator with a financial background if your issues relate to finances or division of property.
Many families find that working with a mediator lessens the conflict between parties allowing them to work together to find a solution that keeps them out of court and allows them to move forward.
Stacy Wright is a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral for Family Law, and can assist in your Minnesota mediation needs. Call: 763-244-1002 to schedule a mediation session today.
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