Amanda Blystone answers:
In nearly every case – even very difficult and high-conflict cases – it is better to mediate a child-related case than take it to court. The simple reason is that our family law courts are not equipped to fully resolve issues relating to children. So without mediation, you are left with an extremely flawed way of resolving issues that are critical to children’s health and well-being. Court dockets are too crowded to hear cases quickly, and child-related issues often need to be resolved urgently.
It is nearly impossible for a judge to truly know your family, and all of the details relevant to the decisions that need to be made, in the limited time the judge has to hear the case. We often liken a court ruling to the judge taking a sledgehammer to the problems the family is facing. At mediation, we can carve out every little issue with a scalpel – reaching agreement on details that a court would never address. So if you want to end up with a court order you can truly live with, and that fully addresses the issues your family is facing, mediation is a much better option.
Amanda Blystone is a Domestic Relations Mediator and Certified Family Law Specialist (as certified by the Family Law Certification Board) at Broyles Kight & Ricafort, P.C. Amanda has practiced family law almost exclusively since her admission to the Indiana Bar in 2001, and has litigated in counties throughout the State of Indiana. www.bkrfamilylaw.com
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