- AUSTIN ASSOCIATION OF MEDIATORS
Mediation in Family Disputes
In families, mediation is most commonly seen used in divorce situations, especially surrounding issues of custody, property division and financial matters. The use of mediation as a way to cooperatively come to a resolution on these issues can often save the time and expense of court and the potential frustration of having a third party decide what your agreement will look like. Many people find that the use of mediation in this regard is far less confrontational and can be beneficial to their long-term relationship.
Family mediation, however, is not limited to this pre-divorce and post-divorce arena. Many other family disputes that may arise (estate division, parent/child relationships, child welfare, etc) are appropriate for mediation as well.
Although, as in counseling, relationships are important in family mediation, the focus in mediation is on the legal and practical aspects, making decisions and settling any disputes that are unmanageable.
Attorneys, although not mandatory, can be included in the mediation as a resource to the parties.
AAM was incorporated in 1981 as the Austin Family Mediation Association. In recognition of the growing diversity in the field of mediation, in 1992 AFMA decided to expand its scope and became the Austin Association of Mediators.