About Family Mediation

Mediation is a process by which parties in conflict come together to resolve disputes and negotiate mutually acceptable agreements with the assistance of an impartial mediator facilitating the discussion and negotiations. The mediator does not make decisions and any agreement reached is voluntarily decided by the participants.
 

Family Mediation:

• Promotes decision-making by the participants, not third parties

• Seeks to minimize the time, costs, and emotional impacts too often seen with the traditional court process

• Promotes a resolution that meets each unique family’s goals

• Is based on the participants' schedules, not a schedule imposed by a court

• Is a confidential and informal process

• Facilitates communication between the participants

• Puts children first

• Strives for financial and parenting decisions that meet the needs of everyone involved

 

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Screening/Choosing a Mediator

Mediation is not a licensed and regulated profession, though this will likely change, eventually. It is always wise to screen mediators for their training and experience. Please review our comprehensive list of mediation professionals that are members of The Mediation Council of Illinois here.

Consider the following questions as you interview your prospective mediator:
 

1.  Have you taken a basic 40-hour divorce and family mediation training approved by the Association for Conflict Resolution?
 

2.  Have you taken advanced training beyond the 40-hour training? Have you obtained supervision?
Or have you been involved in an internship program?
 

3.  How many hours of Continuing Education in mediation and related fields do you accumulate each year? Are they specifically in family mediation? What conferences or programs do you attend?
 

4.  What is your mediation experience? What is your style? Are you more directive or facilitative?
What percentage of your practice is devoted to mediation? What other services do you provide?
 

5.  Have you ever had an ethics complaint filed against you as a mediator or in your profession of origin? If so, what was the reason and what was the outcome?
 

6.  Have you ever been asked to step down from a position you held in a professional organization?
If so, what was the reason and what was the outcome?
 

7.  Do you consult with other mediators on a regular basis or as needed?
 

8.  What organizations do you belong to? The Mediation Councill of Illinois? The Association for Conflict Resolution? Are you on their referral lists?
 

9.  Do you maintain Professional Liability Insurance for your mediation practice?
 

10.  Do you volunteer for any mediation programs? (The Center for Conflict Resolution, National Association for Social Workers, Bar Associations, etc).