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Mediation 2025: Benefits of Peaceful Separation

Now that Courts have reopened in Family Courts across Pennsylvania, each County is scheduling their cases as each County sees fit. Some counties Court appearances are substantially in person; some counties are substantially virtual. However, it is safe to say that all counties scheduling has been adversely affected by Covid. There is another way.

We offer Mediation as an alternative to the status quo. This Alternative Dispute Resolution (also known as “ADR”) process will allow you and the other party in your dispute to continue discussing and, with the aid of a trained and experienced Mediator, put your eventual agreement in writing and ready to file with the Court, thereby avoiding delays in scheduling your matter in court. 

Mediation is available even if you are in the middle of a legal process in Court and even if you are represented by a lawyer. Your lawyer, if you have one, cannot now mediate your dispute. He or she is conflicted out of mediating between you and the other party, since your attorney is representing one side: You. A Mediator represents no one; his or her job is to assist you and the other party in attempting to resolve your matter, which previously was a dispute to be handled in Court.

What are the benefits of Mediation in today’s unprecedented environment?

1.You don’t have to wait for the Court to schedule your matter in Court: As previously stated, many courts have delays in scheduling legal matters because of Covid. You can resolve your dispute and put it in writing now.

2.People who settle themselves are more likely to comply with the Agreement:  Studies show that people who resolve disputes by negotiation and mediation are more likely to comply with the terms. There is less contempt in cases of self-resolution, than with Court imposed Orders.

3.Mediation is less expensive than going to Court: There is no question about this statement. Not only is resolution possible now, it will cost you less money.

4.Mediation is a faster process: Mediation takes several months in most cases. Litigation in Court can take a year or longer to finalize.

Please also know that all Mediators are not created alike. Only few Family Lawyers have 

been trained to be Mediators, though many advertise themselves as Mediators. Ask the person you are considering if that person is trained. Ask how they were trained. The minimum proper training the person should have, is the Forty Hour Mediation training. In addition, we’d suggest many years of practicing Mediation, as well as advanced Mediation training. 

Mediation is an art. It is learned through intensive training and many years of experience. We have been providing Mediation services in Family Law for nearly thirty years. Please contact us for more details.

Demystifying Law: Term of the Month: ADR: Also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution, this umbrella term encompasses mediation, collaborative law, private arbitration and other non-litigation alternatives. These are all dispute resolution processes that do not involve court involvement.