"Mediation" is becoming a more accepted alternative to resolving all types of lawsuits, divorces included.

In mediation a third party, a trained mediator, helps the parties negotiate their own agreement. Each party may attend mediation sessions with their lawyer or other needed resource people in order to negotiate intelligently.

Mediation does not eliminate the need to have legal representation. If an agreement is reached, the lawyers must still reduce it to paper and the Court must still approve the terms of the divorce.

The advantages to mediating include (1) a more controlled environment where emotions are less likely to sidetrack negotiations, (2) an increased chance of earlier settlement, through the assistance of a "qualified neutral," the mediator, and (3) lower legal fees as the attorneys devote their efforts to negotiating rather than litigating.

Michael L. Gjesdahl is a trained mediator. He is on the rosters of approved and certified mediators maintained by both the North Dakota and Minnesota Supreme Courts. He has participated in many mediations, both as mediator and as an advocating attorney.

The information on this site is general in nature. Do not rely on any articles, postings or other information on these pages as legal advice. If you need legal advice about a particular matter, you should contact an attorney directly.