Courts Offer Mediation Programs for Parents

New York City Family Court offers free mediation for parents to try to resolve their custody cases. Mediation is designed to help parties avoid court and go through the expense of a long custody case.

A mediator cannot represent either party. Instead, the mediator is supposed to help both parties bridge the gap when it comes to legal and physical custody.

Benefits of Mediating a Custody Case

Mediating can be helpful in cases where the parents do not have a contentious relationship. If there are minor issues that are left to be resolved, then mediation can be great. A mediator listens to the issues between the parties and tries to help both parents come to an understanding.

Mediation can also be less expensive than litigation. Rather than spending money on attorneys, filing fees, and drafting motions, the parents are able to split the cost of the mediator’s fee.

Pitfalls of Mediation

Mediation is not for every family. A mediator is unable to make orders or give you legal advice. The mediator will not tell you about the law or if you are entering into a fair agreement. The mediator is simply there to help you get an agreement in place.

If there are allegations of abuse between the parents, or if the parents are unable to agree on major life decisions, then it is possible that the parties cannot make an agreement in mediation.