Mediation is a term which is used by the Court primarily in child custody situations whereby in West Virginia 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 be used in child support modification proceedings.

Mediation is an alternative dispute process where the two parties and a mediator 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 of child support modification to seek mediation as a very cost effective alternative to the retaining of lawyers and numerous Court hearings.