When two parties cannot come to an agreement on an issue during a divorce case, state law mandates that the parties must attend mediation before the court can hold a hearing on the issue. The mediator is typically a neutral third-party divorce attorney who will help facilitate negotiations. The mediator has not power to issue a ruling on the issue, however, they can report on the mediation proceedings to the court. Both parties should make a good-faith effort to resolve the issues during mediation because of the cost, time, and unpredictability of a court hearing.
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