When you have a family law issue, it may be your first time dealing with the legal system. You may have no idea what to expect. This may also be true if your case is going through mediation. It can help to understand what you can expect as your case moves through this process. Knowing more about mediation can also allow you to get the most from the process.
The Academy of Professional Family Mediators explains that you and the other party will meet with the mediator in a private setting to begin the mediation. The mediator will assist you through discussions of the issue at hand. You will talk about possible solutions and create an agreement. The mediator will guide you through discussions and help with any additional issues that may come up.
You may have to meet multiple times with the mediator to resolve everything, especially in a divorce situation. It can be tough to try to work through everything in one session. You might need time to regroup or think about what happened in a session before you are ready to make a final decision.
It is important for everyone to remember that the mediator is a neutral third party. This means that he or she plays a role similar to a judge where he or she does not represent either side. The mediator is there to help begin discussions and work through problems you may have communicating. He or she can often help a reluctant person to open up to the idea of settling the issue at hand.