In reality, most judges will never get all the details right. By resolving the dispute through mediation, the parents also learn valuable problem-solving skills. When custody is in dispute, the parents do not just resolve the disagreement and move on. In fact, they'll have to interact with each other for many years afterwards. This makes it crucial that the parents learn how to settle future disagreements.
Mediation teaches a new model for communication that helps avoid future disputes.
The Other Parent May Not Cooperate In mediation, you cannot force the other side to participate. Mediators do not have the power to compel someone to cooperate, and they cannot impose a decision. If the mediation sessions don't result in an agreement, nothing tangible is accomplished. May Dominate One of the reasons why parents hire a lawyer is to equalize their relative bargaining positions. If one parent is exceptionally domineering or manipulative, the lawyers can help to offset the imbalance.