If you have recently filed for divorce in Fulton County, Georgia, then you may already know that you are eligible to receive eight free hours of mediation through the county’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. However, you may not fully understand what mediation is or how it can benefit you.
Reaching a solution
Mediation is a process in which the divorcing or disputing parties and their lawyers meet with a third-party neutral who facilitates a discussion between the two sides. The goal of mediation is to reach a solution that is fair and acceptable to both parties so that the parties do not have to spend their time, energy or money on going to court.
The role of the mediator
The mediator does not issue a ruling or tell the parties what to do. Instead, the mediator is there to help keep the discussion going between the parties by asking questions, making sure both parties have a chance to be heard, and keeping the parties focused on their respective values.
Mediation is confidential
Many people appreciate the confidentiality aspect of mediation. The information that is shared by either party during mediation cannot be used later on in court (unless it involves abuse or violence). That means the parties can feel free to negotiate without the threat of what they disclose being used against them later on.
Court always remains an option
Even though mediation can be ordered by the court, the parties are never ordered to settle all of their problems through mediation. The parties always have the option of going to court if the mediation is not successful.
Visit this page for additional information on the mediation process, including the family law issues that are most commonly addressed with mediation.
