“Mediation allows you to stay in control and create a solution you can really live with."
In mediation, people deal with the problems and issues under dispute in a timely fashion and in privacy. It is a cooperative rather than an adversarial process, so participants are often able to repair their strained relationships. Because family members develop their own solutions, which reflect their family's unique situation, satisfaction with the outcome is quite high and these resolutions tend to be workable and long lasting.

Some family disputes reach the point where litigation proceedings have begun or have been threatened. By employing mediation, families are able to keep their conflict out of a courtroom. Courts take control away from those who need to be involved in crafting the solution. Courts are not charged with developing creative options that can leave all parties feeling heard and satisfied. Because a judge makes decisions based only on his or her interpretation of applicable laws, court decisions often are not satisfactory to anyone in the family and are therefore less likely to endure.

Furthermore, due to the adversarial nature of litigation, courtroom proceedings can destroy already fragile relationships. Accordingly, when families go to court, even the "winners" often lose. In mediation, family members can control both the process and the outcome rather than leaving it in the hands of attorneys and judges. And it means that all family members can be heard. In addition, because the parties control the process, in most cases mediation is significantly less costly than litigation both emotionally and in terms of time and money.

Early Intervention Is Best

Early intervention is always best, before the family is in crisis. When an important family discussion is needed about a developing major life transition, a trained third party neutral can simply convene a family meeting to create the space for everyone to be heard. This type of meeting can strengthen family ties and enable all family members to deal with the changing nature of their relationships and the realities of their situation. It allows family dynamics, including sibling rivalries, to be addressed at a time when everyone is calm and thoughtful decision-making can occur.

It should be noted that these family meetings often involve not just family members but appropriate professionals like lawyers, geriatric care managers and financial planners. These professionals are encouraged to attend as their expertise, coupled with their insights into the family's needs, is usually very helpful.

Post-Divorce Mediation

Even though a divorce may have been granted, sometimes issues arise that were not anticipated during the process. Perhaps one party interprets the agreement differently, or the parenting plan isn't working. Sometimes life changes occur such as an increase or decrease in income, remarriage or a need to sell the family home earlier than planned. Through mediation Dr. Lisa Walker can save time, money and pain in working out these issues after the legal process has finished. She also often directs her clients to the appropriate community support group or books for additional information.

Benefits of Mediation 

• Mediation empowers both partners and enables them to emerge from a divorce with their self-respect intact. 
• Mediation protects family relationships and establishes a foundation for future co-parenting, while helping a couple end their relationship as husband and wife. 
• Mediation moves forward without court delays, thus reducing uncertainty and confusions for all family members. 
• Mediation focuses on the present and future, not the past, allowing both individuals to redirect their energies toward independent futures. 
• Mediation avoids the polarizing tendencies of the adversary system. Mediation results in agreements to which people are more committed. 
• Mediation limits costs at a time when there is increased financial pressure. 
• Mediation offers an informal, confidential context for discussing the important issues, at the pace you choose.