THE AURIT CENTER Imagine feeling positive and hopeful about the future as you and your family work through this challenging time. We are here to help you make this a reality.
Mediation is an effective and affordable way to resolve disputes without having to set foot in a courtroom. Through carefully guided, considerate, and open communication, family mediation helps you stay focused on what matters most to you as you reach agreements.
This article will break down how family mediation works, what types of issues it can address, and highlight a few of the biggest benefits of resolving family concerns through mediation.
Although family mediation is not therapy, a compassionate family mediator offers a constructive approach to resolving family conflicts, whether those conflicts are between spouses, a parent and child, or any other family dynamic.
At its core, family mediation fosters open and honest communication and provides a supportive space for family members to come together to express their feelings, reach agreements, and resolve their disputes. Mediation allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of others while avoiding the financial burden and emotional turmoil that often come with a lengthy trial.
“What sets family mediation apart from the traditional court route is its focus on collaboration and mutual agreement.”
Families aren’t one-size-fits-all. So, rather than relying on a judge’s decision and grappling with the stress of traditional family court proceedings, families are encouraged to collaborate compassionately to create solutions tailored to their unique circumstances.
In divorce mediation, spouses work with a skilled mediator to resolve disputes over everything from spousal maintenance and marital property division to parenting time, legal custody, and decision-making authority.
“Mediation provides spouses with the setting, support, and resources they need to find the best path forward for their family.”
It’s important to note that family mediation isn’t just for spouses going through a divorce. It can also be a valuable tool for spouses considering a legal separation and looking for a way to resolve domestic disputes.
Mediation is also helpful for co-parents who need to modify their agreement. It helps resolve disputes respectfully, fairly, and with as little conflict as possible.
Family mediators prioritize healthy conflict resolution, protecting the well-being of children, and supporting strong co-parenting relationships. By promoting respectful communication, mediation helps family members find creative solutions to resolve disputes without the emotional strain that often accompanies heated family conflicts.
“No matter how big an issue may seem, a family mediator understands that there is always an answer.”
In the middle of conflict, it can be hard to see things from the other person’s point of view. Likewise, it’s easy to get lost in our emotions. Combative dialogue, counter-productive communication, and complex personal histories can be intimidating and amplify existing tensions.
A family mediator, however, sees both perspectives of the dispute and, remaining impartial, helps spouses create agreements that meet both of their interests. Spouses in divorce mediation have peace of mind knowing they are supported and guided through the process.
Custody mediation, a common type of family mediation, focuses on finding a peaceful resolution to parenting time, legal custody, and child support issues while prioritizing the best interests of the children.
Minimizing conflict and helping keep conversations on track leads to a better outcome for everyone involved. This is the opposite of the combative atmosphere of a courtroom — which can leave a lasting negative impact on families.
An expert mediator creates an environment of mutual respect so that custody and child welfare are addressed amicably. You can maintain complete control over your parenting plan — one that prioritizes your children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
In addition to the emotional strain that family conflicts can cause, they can also present a significant financial strain. In litigation, attorney’s fees, along with the various expenses related to filings and proceedings, quickly pile up.
Since family mediation is about collaborative, compassionate conflict resolution, it is much more efficient than litigation. Court proceedings, whether for a divorce or a different family dispute, can drag on and on. Hearings take place on the court’s schedule, and the litigated process often results in far more stress and higher attorney’s fees than necessary.
Not only does family mediation have a shorter timeline and allow for more flexibility, but it’s also much more affordable than attempting to resolve matters in litigation.
While costs vary by state, most people end up paying $15,000–$20,000+ per person for an attorney to argue their case in family court.
Aurit Center Certified Mediators specialize in divorce mediation and keep things simple with a straightforward mediation process at an affordable, flat-fee rate. Our clients typically only pay $2,500 to $4,000 per spouse. We’re also the only firm in America that offers a 0% 12-month payment plan for divorce mediation services.
While often associated with divorce and child custody matters, a family mediator can also be invaluable in other circumstances.
For instance, family mediation can be a useful tool for resolving disputes related to elder care, surrogacy, and adoption matters. By creating a neutral, supportive space where everyone can communicate openly and respectfully, mediation helps family members figure out the best path forward.
Conflicts between adult children and parents can benefit from family mediation, too. Mediation can help the family members preserve their relationship and work toward a fair solution simultaneously.
| What family issues can mediation help resolve? | ||
| ✅child custody situations | ✅settlement alternatives | ✅disagreements about marriage |
| ✅visitation issues | ✅dissolution of marriage | ✅agreement about parenting plans |
| ✅child access issues | ✅grandparent visitation | ✅adoptive parent relationships |
| ✅parental responsibility | ✅adult sibling conflicts | ✅birth parent relationships |
| ✅child exchanges | ✅child development | ✅parenting time disputes |
| ✅parenting coordination | ✅debt responsibility | ✅cooperative parenting relationships |
| ✅division of property | ✅parenting agreements | ✅communication between parties |
If you are considering family mediation to resolve your dispute, you are already on the right path to healthy, empathetic conflict resolution. Here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of mediation.
Working with a family mediator who is right for you and your circumstances is essential. Trusted mediators offer a free consultation so you can get to know them and ask questions. Schedule a free consultation at The Aurit Center for your divorce, legal separation, or custody mediation process as an opportunity to ensure you’re comfortable with your mediator.
Outline the things that are most important to you beforehand so that you can gain clarity and confidence about what you hope to accomplish in mediation. Communicate these things to your Aurit Center Certified Mediator.
Being true to yourself can mean expressing what is important to you and why it is important. When you approach conversations honestly and respectfully, you create opportunities to reach your best possible agreements.
Approach your mediation meetings with a flexible mindset. The more possibilities you’re willing to consider, the better your chances of finding your family’s ideal solution.
We understand how complex family disputes and separations can be, and our goal is to use our years of conflict resolution experience and legal expertise to help you navigate your divorce efficiently, compassionately, and privately.
Our entire team is knowledgeable in divorce and legal separation mediation and the many factors that come into play, such as spousal support, child custody, and child support. Our goal is for you and your family to emerge from this difficult period feeling confident and optimistic about the future.
“Mediation can provide the resources and support you need during your transition — without the added stress of court hearings.”
Through mediation, a healthy divorce or separation is possible.
Schedule your free one-hour video consultation to speak with one of our mediators and learn more about our mediation services.
