In most Tennessee counties, before a divorce or other family law case can be tried in court, the parties must attempt to settle the issues involved in the case through a process called mediation.
In mediation, a trained, neutral third party called a mediator facilitates the negotiation of a voluntary settlement agreement. Mediators work with parties to fashion financial agreements tailored to their specific circumstances. They may also help parents with minor children develop parenting plans that focus on the best interests of their children.
The goal of mediation is to reduce the economic and emotional costs of divorce by reaching an agreement that is fair to both parties that also serves the best interests of the children in a divorcing family.
The mediator cannot decide the case or force an agreement to anything. The mediator’s job is to help both parties work toward an agreement that will satisfy the concerns of each party.
All of the lawyers at Sobieski, Messer & Elledge are experienced in representing our clients in mediations to help them reach high-quality mediated settlements and prepare the necessary settlement documents to ensure that their agreement is enforceable. Many of our attorneys are also trained mediators themselves. Caitlin Elledge is actively listed with the Tennessee Supreme Court as a Rule 31 family law mediator.
