What disputes does family mediation resolve?

emmadigirank
January 31, 2013

Family mediation helps both parties have the power to take responsibility for their own lives, rather than handing issues over to the authorities to resolve.

Family mediation can help solve a variety of family disputes, such as custody and visitation, child support and other family issues.

Custody and Visitation

Divorce or separation can be a difficult time for parents/guardians, but it can be an extremely sensitive time for any children involved. Children are often the most effected by a separation or divorce, as they will view their parents/guardians as their family for the rest of their lives. As this period is particularly distressing for children, family mediation helps encourage each partner to communicate and cooperate in a more amicable environment, being more sensitive to the child’s feelings.

Family mediation tries to promote a divorce or separation as a ‘re-shaping’ of the family, rather than a destruction. This strategy helps reduce the stress and anxiety children may feel during their parents’/guardians’ divorce. If each partner can communicate amicably, the process will be far less stressful for both parents and children.

Child Support

Child support is usually determined by the Court. Authorities assess both parents’ net income and decide what level of support each parent should provide. Child support is monitored on a regular basis and can be modified due to any substantial change is circumstance.

Family mediation can help parents find an alternative way to settle child support. Both parents can decide what each parent is expected to provide. For example, one parent may provide support for a child’s sport activities, while the other may provide money for clothing. These arrangements can be made by the parents themselves, along with the help from a mediator.

Family Issues

This is a vague area as families may suffer from different issues. Whether a family member is seeking advice about grandparents’ visitation rights, or how to organise care for an ill family member, family mediation helps resolve any conflicts which are causing stress and anxiety.

Family mediation’s main aim is to comfort and support families who are in distress, helping to restore important relationships for the sake of those involved and those around them.

There are several reasons why family mediation is far more beneficial than settling issues in Court. Here are a few:

You have more control and can make your own decisions
Anything discussed in the sessions are completely confidential
Family mediators reduce stress and anxiety
You can cooperate in a relaxing and amicable environment
You make the agreements, rather than having an outsider decide arrangements for you
Mediation helps families listen to one another, making the process far more healthy for families
If mediation doesn’t work, you still have the option to go to Court if you feel the issues are not resolved

View more information on the types of disputes family mediation can help resolve. Don’t hesitate to contact a family law solicitor with any questions or enquiries.