Mediation is generally very successful in family law cases.  It provides a safe forum for people to sit down and communicate respectfully regarding their concerns and desires, as well as to have their reality challenged if they are a bit off.  The setting is confidential, so nothing that is said in mediation can be used in court.  It is less expensive than litigating in court, and allows the parties to reach a known outcome and move on now rather than later.

Research also shows that, due to the voluntary nature of mediation, when compromise is reached between opposing parties after negotiating in good faith, having fully disclosed all relevant information and are the parties are empowered because they are fully informed, the agreement made is more durable that a court imposed resolution.  This means that parties are less apt to try and go back on their agreement to change it when resolution is reached in a good mediation.

Please comment, add, refute, clarify or inquire regarding this posting if you are so inclined.  I would love for this to convert to a helpful dialogue and resource.