Mediation is a term which is used by the Court primarily in child custody situations whereby the parties are ordered to mediation to mediate the issue of the establishment of a parenting plan which incorporates a custody schedule. However, mediation can also include such other topics as mediation of property settlement agreements, mediation of separation agreements, mediation of divorce issues, mediation of child custody, mediation of parenting plans, mediation of child support modification, mediation of alimony modification, mediation of spousal support modification, mediation of visitation schedules, mediation of child custody.

Often times in either an initial custody case or a modification of a custody case the parties can retain a private mediator to attempt to work out the parties differences. The same can be said for mediation of issues of spousal support in an initial divorce, child support in an initial divorce, the distribution of assets and debts in an initial divorce, as well as spousal support and alimony in an initial divorce. Mediation can also be used in modifications of all of these issues including child custody, spousal support, child support, relocation issues, and virtually every issue that can be modified under the law.

Mediation simply is a process where the two parties and a mediator with experience in family law matters attempt to reach a compromise and settlement of the issues. The mediator does not report to the Court if one party is uncooperative or the other party asks for too much. The mediator simply conducts the mediation and either an agreement is reached or it is not reached, after which the mediator simply reports to the Court of a successful mediation and the terms which are reached or that the parties have mediated and they have not reached agreement.

Mediation can be a very efficient and cost saving alternative dispute resolution to a contested issue to be taken before the Court in the nature of support or custody. The Webb Law Firm encourages those who find themselves in a contested issue to seek mediation as a very cost effective alternative to the retaining of lawyers and numerous Court hearings. Mr. Webb is a certified child custody mediator and can also mediate all other issues in a divorce or modification case.