Should I go to divorce mediation?

Divorce mediation is a process whereby you and your spouse meet with an individual, the mediator, for as long as necessary to identify and resolve the issues existing between you. A mediator may be a lawyer. Once an agreement is reached, the lawyer/mediator writes it up, and may recommend that each of you take it to a lawyer for review, if lawyers were not present at the mediation.

Mediation of disputed issues is generally advised. Court mediation is available at a reasonable cost for custody and access plan issues. Private mediation of all issues is available at a higher cost and is advisable if both parties are willing to negotiate their respective positions. Another option is to ask the Court to appoint a judge pro tem to conduct a settlement conference, at which a settlement agreement and Decree can be promptly drafted and entered, upon full agreement. Even a partial agreement at a settlement conference allows more input by the parties in fashioning a Decree than a trial.