Instead, the mediator helps the parents find their own solution. If the parents do not agree, they usually revert to traditional litigation. Compared to full-blown litigation, mediation can save everyone time and money. Gone are the costs and delays associated with the adversarial system - discovery, hearings, motions, and trial. Instead, the parents meet quietly and privately with the mediator to discuss the situation.
Mediation lets the parents reach an agreement sooner and keep more of their money.
Create a Better Agreement Mediation can also lead to better agreements. When a judge imposes a decision, parents are much less likely to obey it than when the parents create the agreement themselves. This higher rate of compliance results in less conflict afterwards. Also, when parents create the agreement, they can customize it to fit their situation. In reality, most judges will never get all the details right.