Cooperative Family Mediation is a process in which an impartial third party facilitates
the resolution of family disputes by promoting the participants’ voluntary agreement. It
allows parents to reach agreements about their children  instead of giving a judge the
power to make all such decisions.  The mediator assists communication,
encourages understanding and focuses the participants on their individual and
common interests. The mediator works with the participants and their counsel to
explore options, make decisions and reach their own agreements.

Cooperative Family Mediation is different from other forms of dispute resolution in that
the parties participate voluntarily, and the mediator has no authority to make a
decision.  The decision-making power rests in the hands of the parties.  Judges
listen to evidence and then make decisions that are imposed on parties.  Mediators
do not.  An agreement is reached at mediation through the facilitated negotiation
process.  

Cooperative Family Mediation is also different from other forms of family mediation.  In
Cooperative Family Mediation, the parties’ attorneys can and should participate in the
mediation process so that each party may have the benefit of legal advice while
reaching agreements.  By having lawyers present during the mediation, an
enforceable agreement can be signed once a resolution is reached.  Disputes can
usually be resolved in one day instead of spread out over several sessions.  

Cooperative Family Mediation is a confidential process. The mediation session is
held in private. The sessions are not tape-recorded or transcribed. At the conclusion
of the mediation, the Mediator destroys any notes she took.  The Mediator will not, and
can not, disclose any information revealed during the mediation to third parties. The
communications by the parties can not be introduced as evidence in any arbital,
judicial or other proceeding.

Cooperative Family Mediation usually begins with short separate meetings with each
attorney and the mediator.  Next, the Mediator will meet briefly with each attorney and
party.  Next, a joint session is held in which the parties and their counsel openly
discuss the issues and concerns of the parties and possible solutions.  After the joint
session, the parties break up into separate groups or caucuses, where the
negotiation process continues.  The Mediator will have private and confidential
caucuses with each of the parties and their counsel to explore interests and
settlement options.  Individual sessions continue until an agreement is reached.  
Once a settlement is reached, a written agreement is signed before the parties leave
the mediation.  
Cooperative Family Mediation