Mediate Michigan

“I can go to a courtroom 10 different times and see 10 different judges,” my clients often complain. “Each one of them is new to the facts and circumstances of my case. Each one has very little time to hear about the past.”

The exasperation in my clients’ voices is palpable. I watch them shake their heads as they voice their frustration and bewilderment.

“These judges do not know me. They don’t know my values or the frustrations that bring me to their court. Yet these are the people the system makes me entrust as my parenting referees. It just doesn’t make sense.”

I can’t say that I disagree.

Sometimes, a case management judge is appointed. This is somewhat better than the other way, in that all concerns and arguments are at least heard by the judge designated for that case.

But court cases are costly – both emotionally and financially. What if you could have someone whose primary purpose is not to decide your parenting time? Rather, this person is there to help you maximize the parenting time you have.

You really can avoid court. Instead, you can find a lawyer who uses discussion, conversation and negotiation as central and vital parts of his or her role as legal counsel. Collaborative lawyers and lawyer-mediators, for example, have chosen to practise in this way.

Even this system can be frustrating. It may seem to take even longer to reach a solution than the courthouse route. In the long-run, however, using collaboration and mediation will likely exact less of an emotional and financial toll on you and your family.

via Parent coordinators – better than the courts and less costly, too – The Mediation Guru – Columns – Seaway News.