Family & Divorce Mediation

How Does Mediation Work?

The first step is for the mediators to meet with both parties together to go over the process, discuss any guidelines for the mediation, and answer your questions. Next, a two-hour mediation session is scheduled for the parties involved with two mediators. The mediators will assist you in talking about the conflict and discussing options you feel could resolve the dispute. After discussion and coming together on the issues, mediators can help you put your decisions in writing if you wish.

What are the benefits of Mediation?

Mediation gives people control to make their own decisions, which can make it easier to live with than an imposed solution. Mediation can effectively help people resolve legal problems fairly, less expensively, and earlier with greater satisfaction. The mediation process is an effective tool for achieving solutions by mutual agreement rather than decisions handed down by the court.

Role of the Mediator

The mediator's role is to provide support while helping people communicate and make their own decisions. The mediator will assist you to:

q Talk about your concerns and understand the issues

q Listen to you and ask questions - you will also have the opportunity to listen and ask questions of each other.

q Assist you to consider options that may resolve the situation. If you want to make choices and agree about what to do, the choices will be yours.

New Horizons Consulting Services, Inc. mediators are trained, qualified Neutrals under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. Mediators are listed on Minnesota ADR Neutral Roster. Mediators are Associate Members of University of North Dakota Conflict Resolution Center serving as volunteer mediators and training coaches. .

Role of Attorneys and Advisors

Choosing mediation does not mean that you will not have an attorney or advisor. You may wish to have an attorney review your decisions made in mediation.

Information for Decision-Making

In order for you to make fair decisions, honesty and full disclosure of the situation is important. Parties agree to participate in good faith. You may wish to bring financial information (tax returns, list of assets & liabilities, etc.) to help your decision-making.

What happens after we reach agreement?

None of the agreements made in mediation are binding. Decisions may change as mediation progresses and agreements must be satisfactory to both parties. Participants are responsible to bring their decisions to their attorneys or to Court Administration Office to be legally recorded.

Mediation is Voluntary

Participants come to mediation voluntarily and have the option to discontinue at any time. Mediators also have the option to discontinue. Although some people may be court ordered to mediation, reaching agreement is usually voluntary. Even in cases where the parties cannot reach agreement, the process of mediation may better define the dispute and possible options. It is also possible to reach agreement on some issues while others may need to be decided in another way.

Confidentiality

All information and records presented in mediation are regarded as confidential, except as permitted by law in the case of child abuse or threats of harm to another person. Mediators cannot be called as witnesses in other proceedings; and all notes, records, and recollections of the neutral are confidential, which means that they shall not be disclosed to the parties, the public, or anyone.

Payment

Parties shall pay $50 for the initial intake visit. Parties shall pay the full 2-hour fee of $200 to New Horizons Consulting, Inc. at the beginning of each mediation session.

ADR Mediation is a service provided by

New Horizons Consulting, Inc.