ABSTRACT
Divorce mediation is the process by which disputing couples meet with a neutral third party to discuss the issues surrounding the divorce. The mediator, as the neutral third party, facilitates the conversation between the disputants and helps them to identify underlying themes and issues relevant to the conflict. During the process, the mediator encourages disputants to vent emotions, clarify misunderstandings, elucidate priorities, and identify points of agreement (Saccuzzo, 2003). Dissimilar to a judge, a mediator has no final say in the settlement agreement (Kaplan, 1999). The parties utilize communication and negotiation skills while working with the mediator to create a mutually acceptable settlement (Bautz & Hill, 1991; Cohen, 1991; Kaplan, 1999; Moore, 2003; Saccuzzo, 2003).
