Questions and Responses

The mediation process requires that the parties understand each other's positions and interests in the negotiations. The mediator accomplishes this by facilitating communications between the parties. In a great many divorce situations, lack of communication or inability to communicate effectively has led to the breakdown of the relationship.  Sometimes the mediation sessions are the best opportunity for contact that the couple has. In litigation, the attorneys frequently discourage contact between the parties. However, in mediation, communication is a key to success. Because of this focus, couples sometimes give the relationship another chance, once they are communicating more effectively.

In response to whether mediation can lead to reconciliation, in my experience, it can in a small number of cases. Most likely candidates are couples who still love each other but are annoyed by actions or the lack of actions on the part of their spouse and don’t know what to do except divorce. Mediation is not counseling. If counseling hasn’t been successful, perhaps articulating in writing first, then orally, what it is that she/he wants from their husband/wife. If the other spouse responds that they want to give those things then there is certainly a chance.