When parents are unable to resolve their differences in a child custody dispute, they may turn to the court system for assistance. However, this isn’t always the best option. In some cases, mediation can help divorcing couples reach an agreement that is best for everyone involved, especially their children. Here’s what you need to know about child custody mediation and its benefits over litigation.
What Is Child Custody Mediation?
Child custody mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It involves an impartial third party—a mediator—who meets with both parties separately and then together to facilitate negotiations between them and help them reach a mutually agreeable solution concerning the issues related to their divorce or separation that involve children such as visitation rights, decision-making authority and financial support. The mediator does not make any decisions but instead helps each party understand the other’s perspective while encouraging them to work out compromises that both sides can agree on without going through litigation in court. It is important to note though that a mediator cannot provide legal advice nor can they suggest specific solutions or outcomes; they simply act as facilitators of discussions between parties in order to help them come up with solutions on their own terms.
Benefits of Child Custody Mediation
There are numerous benefits associated with utilizing child custody mediation as opposed to going through traditional litigation in court when resolving disputes involving children during divorce proceedings or separations:
• Cost Savings: Going through traditional litigation can be expensive due the cost of filing fees and attorney salaries required by law. On average, it costs substantially less money (upwards of 40% less) for parties seeking alternative resolution through mediation services than it would if they were litigating matters in court before a judge or jury trial.
• Time Savings: Traditional litigation often requires months if not years before all matters are resolved whereas most cases mediated outside of courts resolve much faster typically within weeks or even days depending on complexity levels presented at initial intake meetings between mediators and clients respectively engaged within such services offered around specific geographic areas throughout America itself;
• Flexibility & Control: One major benefit afforded by utilizing ADR methods such as child custody mediation is that it gives both parents more control over how issues surrounding children will be handled during divorce proceedings than what would happen if those matters were left up for judicial review within courts themselves where decisions are made based upon existing laws rather than focusing primarily upon family-centered factors which must necessarily take precedence over mere legalities once all relevant information has been brought forth from either side pertaining thereto;
• Improved Communication & Understanding: Child custody disputes may cause animosity among divorcing parents which could lead further problems down the road should those feelings fester without proper resolution being attained sooner rather than later but engaging in active dialogue towards coming up with suitable arrangements via mediated sessions may actually serve beneficial purposes by helping foster more positive lines communication now so as hopefully prevent future disagreements from arising due increased understanding reached thereby between treated parties involved within same process itself;
• Positive Environment With Children’s Best Interests At Heart: Since most family law attorneys only specialize strictly speaking “in law” instead focusing primarily upon actual needs families themselves deal daily basis when trying navigate complex emotional terrain heretofore encountered amidst difficult times like these during transition period post-divorce/separation periods often fraught with pain heartache – employing services specialized mediators better equipped handle such situations.
