What is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is an informal meeting in which the individuals on both sides of a family law matter (the parties) and their attorneys meet with a certified mediator to discuss and attempt to settle the issues in a that matter. Mediation may occur before any court papers are filed or once a family law case is under way. The individuals disagreeing may be sent by the court to mediation or they may choose the option themselves.

The mediator is there as an objective, neutral individual whose purpose is to facilitate settlement. Whether settlement is reached on all or some of the pending issues is completely voluntary for the parties. There are many advantages to mediation. One advantage to mediation is that it is confidential. Except for the terms of any agreement the parties may put into writing and submit to the court for approval, what is discussed in mediation stays private. Additionally, mediation is informal compared to a courtroom. It allows the individuals involved the flexibility to discuss motives, facts and realities that may not come in at trial. Many people find the process to be a very positive alternative to the potentially traumatic emotional and psychological effects of the adversarial process. Mediation also gives disputing spouse, former spouse, parents, etc. an opportunity to resolve the matter through a process that is both less expensive and time-consuming than a court trial.

While Christi Gray's background as a lawyer is helpful to keeping things in context while serving as a mediator; she is not permitted and will not give legal advice while serving as a mediator. As your mediator, her role is to assist in identifying and clarifying the issues, developing bargaining proposals and facilitating negotiations with the goal of coming to a settlement that meets the family's needs. A mediator is valuable to prompt discussion and cooperative communication as well as to manage conflict.

Issues mediated may include parental responsibility and child support; alimony; and equitable distribution. Particularly when there are children's issues involved, a constructive and productive mediation can be the first step toward the parents anticipating, working through and resolving issues that may arise.

The purpose is to assist the parties in the decision making process. The decisions reached are those of the individuals in conflict, not the mediator. The mediation process is an alternative to a court imposed solution giving the individuals who know the situation and their family best the means to create a solution that meets those needs.

If an agreement is reached on all or some of the issues it is placed into writing for the parties to submit to the court for approval.

Christi Gray is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who is available to assist parties needing mediation services in family law matters. Please contact The McCall Moody & Gray Law Firm today if you are an attorney representing someone in a family law case or are a party in a family law matter in need of mediation services to continue your efforts to resolve your family law matter and would like to set up an appointment for The McCall Moody Law Firm to conduct your family law mediation.

The McCall Moody & Gray Law Firm is located in the NE area of Tallahassee in the first office complex on the left just past People's Bank on Kerry Forest Parkway. We conduct family mediations at our offices or will conduct the mediation at the office of either attorney of record in your case if preferred. Contact The McCall Moody & Gray Law Firm at 850-656-7753 for a consultation with a mediation attorney.