Many North Carolina district courts now provide for mediation of the custody and visitation disputes that arise when parents decide to live their lives separately. Mediation is also available statewide for most civil claims filed in North Carolina's superior courts. In 1997, the General Assembly adopted legislation providing for a new district court program designed to help parties resolve family financial disputes. The Family Financial Settlement Program provides parties in pilot districts an opportunity to mediate claims concerning the division of their marital property as well as claims for child or spousal support. It is to this program that your case has been referred.
Mediation is an informal proceeding.
A mediator, a trained neutral with no stake in the outcome of your litigation, meets with you, the other party, and your attorneys to help you discuss the issues in dispute and to consider options for resolving them. The mediator will work to open channels of communication, to help clarify your and the other party s needs and positions, and to explore settlement options. Though you will be participating in the discussions and problem solving effort, you will not be called upon to testify or be cross-examined by the other party. Unlike a trial, mediations are not open to the public. The mediator will begin the conference by explaining the ground rules for your discussions.