Practice Areas
Mediation
Civil Mediation
Many legal professionals agree that a courtroom is not the ideal place to resolve a family matter. Litigation is an adversarial process. Each party presents his/her best case to a judge who determines the facts and makes a decision. In family law, this involves making very personal matters a part of the public record. Unfortunately, the process can have long-lasting effects not only on the parties but also on their children and can make co-parenting difficult.
Alternatively, mediation provides people with the chance to resolve issues without ever setting foot in a courtroom. Parents or spouses can agree to attend private mediation at any time even if a lawsuit has not been filed. On the other hand, if a custody or equitable distribution lawsuit has been filed, the parties will be ordered at some point to attend mediation.
Mediation provides people with the chance to resolve issues without ever setting foot in a courtroom.
How does the mediation process work?
In mediation, the mediator helps the parties find common ground in resolving their issues and coming to a settlement.
Depending on the issues, mediation may be scheduled for half a day, a full day, or multiple days. The parties may attend mediation alone or with attorneys to advise them. The mediator is not a judge and does not make any decisions about the outcome of the case. Instead, the mediator’s job is to help the parties find common ground in resolving their issues. Unless otherwise agreed, each party usually pays half of the mediator’s fee at the conclusion of mediation.
In mediation, individuals can take ownership of the outcome of their case. As a result, mediation can often bring closure and allow all parties to move on without the frustration and expense that accompanies litigation.
Contact our firm today to schedule a mediation appointment with Krista Stallard, our North Carolina DRC (Dispute Resolution Commission) certified family financial mediator.
