Lawyers’ Relationship with Family Mediators

Why do lawyers work in separation and divorce?  

Because they care about their clients, and they want to help people through challenging times. Everyone deserves to know their rights and have an advocate on their side, that is what lawyers do so well.  

Family law usually includes children and when the parents are in conflict things get complicated and the children might be casualties. Unfortunately, sometimes the law is not enough, and lawyers cannot help a client or spouse with unreasonable expectations. A legal agreement might not be able to address concerns like being late for pick up, moving in with a new partner, or communication barriers.  

Lawyers see stressed clients hurtle through a long and costly process, and in the worst-case scenario, the legal process of court often makes the relationship between parents worse.  

In these situations, the family lawyer might be weary of referring their clients to Family Mediators due to justifiable concerns such as: 

Will this referral increase the conflict?  

What if the family mediators draft agreements that do not consider legal rights and leave the lawyer having to do more work in re-negotiating these agreements?  

However, an important question the lawyers may consider is; 

What if the Family Mediator can help the parents work together to create a livable agreement? 

What is the Family Mediator fosters healthy communication between the parents? 

Healthy communication and boundaries between parents can transform your clients into understanding and agreeing. Encouraging your clients to work with a family mediator to learn communication skills, find common ground, and focus on their children’s needs might result in a parenting relationship that allows children to thrive. 

If you are looking to build confidence in a Family mediator lets connect, so you can refer your clients with confidence.