There is no wrong time for mediation. It is always preferable to the alternative of spending thousands of dollars on attorneys fees in the hope that the judge might see things your way. Some people choose mediation even before they hire lawyers to represent them. Others may wait to mediate until they are well into the legal process. Many courts require parents to mediate before asking a court to decide custody and visitation. If you are represented by an attorney, that attorney can often advise you as to when mediation is more likely to be successful. Each case is different and it's very difficult to predict the perfect timing for your case. As long as a couple is willing to try mediation, an experienced mediator can often bring the parties to an agreement.