What is co-mediation and when is it typically used?

That’s when you have two mediators and typically you would use it if you have what we call stumbling blocks in mediation – where we get to a point where we can’t get the parties to move in any direction. Having a co-mediator there for that session, they’re sometimes able to approach it from a different way that gets the parties rolling again. A lot of times, co-mediation is used with new mediators with experienced mediators so that they can learn. Or you would bring in two mediators when you think you’re going to have a very, very difficult case.

With 30 years of experience in family law, Laura M. Urbik Kern is a certified mediator and family lawyer who concentrates on dissolution, family and juvenile law, child support, and complex domestic relations cases.