Conflict mediation is offered free of charge by the Agency of Family Law. It is voluntary conflict resolution which is offered completely independently of the ordinary case processing by the Agency of Family Law. Thus, you need not have a pending custody, residence, or visitation case to make use of the offer, nor does it open a case if you do so. Conflict mediation differs significantly from other types of offers, as a very special methodology is used.
What makes conflict mediation special is:
- That you decide for yourselves what you want to use the mediation for: whether you want to focus on resolving specific disagreements, or whether you want to focus on making your parental cooperation work in general
- That the mediator uses a methodology that helps you get things discussed such that you gain greater insight into each other’s ways of thinking and spot new possibilities
- That the mediator does not contribute with advice or guidance, nor can they decide what you shall do
Conflict mediation is recognised worldwide as a particularly lasting way of resolving conflicts. You gain greater ownership of the agreements you have made, because you as a participant have an influence and a responsibility to reach the needed agreements. A good mediation process can also lay the foundation on which you can handle future disagreements yourselves.
You can turn to the Agency of Family Law at any time for conflict mediation. Conflict mediation can only be carried out if you are both willing participants. If you disagree about doing conflict mediation, you may want to seek counselling by a child expert, which is also open and free to all divorced parents.