BENEFITS OF FAMILY MEDIATION

Mediation is an effective method of resolving conflict, which empowers the family members as they work towards ending their conflict, allowing them to maintain control and ownership of the process. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation and fairness, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of children and dependents.

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Benefits of using mediation over other dispute resolutions processes include:

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• Be Creative - mediation is a creative process where your agreement can be tailored to the unique needs of your family.

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• More Amicable -  a mediator helps the parties focus on reaching an agreement and minimizing conflict. The process is well suited for those committed to maintaining a positive or healthy relationship, and parties are more likely to comply with an agreement that they assisted in creating. 

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• Control the Outcome - when parties actively participate in creating their own solutions, they design outcomes that best meet their own needs and the needs of their children. In contrast, it is often difficult to predict the results of a court application or trial, and there are risks when a stranger (the judge) makes decisions about your life based on limited information and time. In mediation, the parties cooperate to explore their respective needs and interests in order to establish a shared agreement.

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• Cost Effective - the costs of mediation are shared by both parties, and the process is particularly cost-effective as the parties work together to make decisions. The overall costs are often less than other means dispute resolution methods (and significantly so when compared to the court process).

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• Choosing Timelines - when both parties are committed to mediation, it is a much quicker process than court. Parties can also control the timeline of the mediation process based on their schedules and the time required to obtain  necessary information or documentation (e.g. financial disclosure or input from a child therapist).

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