Attending a mediation session at the Mediation Center in Columbia, Maryland can be a complex process. To ensure that the process is as smooth as possible, there are certain criteria that must be met. The first requirement is to choose an attorney-mediator or a mediator who is not a lawyer. A mediating attorney is qualified to draft a formal legal agreement for review by an independent attorney, and they often have more experience in matters involving children.
It is ideal to select an attorney-mediator with particular experience in family law matters if the parties want to resolve all marital issues, including child custody, child support, alimony, property division, tax issues, and debt division. Nancy Caplan, Esquire, is an attorney-mediator who uses email to communicate with parties whenever possible. Upon confirmation of the date and time of the appointment, the parties will receive the participation contract and fees for review prior to mediation. The appointment scheduling email will also provide guidance for financial preparation so that the parties negotiate productively at the initial appointment.
The parties will be presented with the opportunity to provide separate confidential mediation statements directly to the mediator. It is not mandatory but highly recommended to attend Nancy Caplan's monthly seminar which is offered to the public almost every month. This informal seminar provides an opportunity for anyone to become familiar with Ms. Caplan's mediation process and to get to know her better.
The seminar analyzes the procedural aspects of mediation and the divorce process in general. All attendees can ask general questions about family law mediation topics such as alimony, child custody, child support, property division, and debt assignment. Nancy Caplan of Maryland Legal and Divorce Mediation Services conducts mediation during regular business hours, at nightfall, and occasionally on weekends if there are difficulties or if the parties travel from more distant counties to take advantage of her unique process. After setting the date and time, Nancy Caplan will provide detailed instructions for preparing for mediation and will also provide the fee structure and the mediation agreement before the first session.
If you have a civil case pending in the Maryland District Court, you may be able to take advantage of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve your dispute. There are two types of ADR services offered: mediation and conciliation conferences. District Court ADR services are free for participants. To become certified as a mediator in a county, family court, district court, dependency court, or appellate court in Florida, applicants must have completed a minimum of 40 hours in an approved mediation training program within five years of applying for certification.
The reentry mediation program is available at all Maryland state prisons and 11 local detention centers. The Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) hires approved and affiliated local mediation centers to mediate most court cases. Contact your local court for information about the lists of mediators and the requirements to receive court-sent mediations. You can practice mediation privately in Virginia without being certified but you must receive a judicial certification to receive cases referred by the court.
Anyone who wishes to mediate in court must have a minimum of 40 hours of basic training in mediation. Under Wisconsin Statute 767,405, mediators who wish to receive judicial referrals for child custody and domestic disputes must have at least 25 hours of mediation training (or three years of mediation experience) and three hours of training on domestic violence issues. The requirements on the list vary depending on whether the mediator requests inclusion in the General Civil Mediation or Domestic Relations Mediation list. For example, to be referred to civil courts, a mediator must (a) have a doctor of law degree or a graduate degree in conflict resolution or (b) 40 hours of experience in mediation before submitting the request.
The model rules include 40 hours of basic training in mediation, at least two mediations of at least two hours in duration that are mediated by a mediating mentor or under the supervision of a mediator, and legal education in the form of a course on the judicial system and civil litigation (this requirement does not apply to lawyers). General criteria for admission to the list of court mediators include 40 hours of basic mediation training, five hours of mentoring, and a bachelor's degree. The Delaware Superior Court maintains a directory of active mediators who are members of the Delaware Bar Association and others who have completed Superior Court mediation training in conflict resolution techniques.
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