Effectively Steering the Ship

Family law cases have complexities that are challenging to resolve in an adversarial system, including litigation and traditional mediation structures, which struggle with inefficiencies and other inadequacies, leading to dissatisfied clients. This book examines how traditional dispute resolution options fall short of meeting the needs of most divorcing couples and highlights the benefits of neutral case management from the outset through finalization of each case. This is a how-to manual providing practical step-by-step guidance to family law professionals by formalizing the case management role of neutral mediators and delivering specific examples for the case managing mediator to employ, including case examples, suggested language, and sample formats for mediators to use to expand their own practice offerings. This book presents a clear, structured model for case managed mediation that supports a more collaborative and client-centered process for the benefit of clients and professionals involved in these complex cases with the goal of supporting family law mediators in becoming comfortable with their role as neutral case managers to more efficiently and effectively guide clients, counsel, and other family law professionals through the mediation and court process.