Mediation

Mediation is an informal and flexible way to solve disputes. The mediator’s role is to guide the parties towards their own resolution. The mediator does not take one side or the other, but helps the parties focus on solutions that addresses everyone’s needs. The mediator helps develop options, but does not have authority to make a decision for the parties.

Divorce Related Services

• Separation agreements: Parents can work out a temporary agreement which allows them to take care of their children’s needs, protect them from emotional storms, and provide for some financial stability during the early stages of the divorce process.
• Divorce agreements: A constructive alternative to the adversarial process, mediation helps the couple create a parenting plan for their children, compile financial information, work out budgets and agree upon property settlement and support.
• Parenting agreements: Parents are guided through the process of creating an appropriate parenting plan for their children’s needs, while their lawyer or mediator handles the financial and property matters. This is particularly useful for special parenting decisions such as with: young children, children with disabilities, parental illness or parents with different parenting styles or communication difficulties.
• Collaborative law: When clients have signed a collaborative law agreement with their attorneys, Center mediators may assume the responsibility of Divorce Coach, Parenting Consultant or Mediator as part of the interdisciplinary team.
• Post judgment disputes: Mediation offers a neutral environment for parents to clarify issues they may have about their children following divorce. Typical concerns include scheduling changes, new partners, developmental changes and communication.

Other Mediation Services

• Prenuptial agreements: Mediation offers a place in which decisions about pre-marital assets can be fully discussed and tailored to meet the unique needs of each family.
• Separation agreements for unmarried couples: For couples who have joint property and/or shared parenting, mediation gives an opportunity to separate constructively, to maintain privacy, and to create a written agreement tailored to their personal situation and needs.
• Business partnership disputes: In businesses where partners work together closely they may encounter differences which become highly charged emotionally. Mediation offers a process to air differences, to clear up misunderstandings, to gather information, and to solve problems constructively.
• Family decision making across generations: Mediation can help families resolve issues such as the care of elderly parents, sibling concerns around inheritance, guardianship issues following a death in the family, or other emotional decisions impacting a family.

For specific information about the family court system in Washtenaw County, please visit http://washtenawtrialcourt.org/family.