Mediation and ADR
Family mediation
Mediation of family matters such as divorce, property division, parental responsibility, child support, custody and visitation, for married and unmarried people, before and after a judgment.[1]
In more detail
This is Florida's statutory definition, which also says the parties mainly do the negotiating and lawyers may attend but aren't required.[1] Texas lets a court refer a divorce to mediation on the parties' written agreement or its own motion, with special protections when family violence is alleged.[2] Many family courts screen cases for domestic violence before mediation.
Varies by state
Whether family mediation is required, who may mediate and how agreements become binding differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Parenting planA document setting out how parents will raise their child after separating: how decisions are made about things like school and health care, and a schedule of time with each parent.
- Marital settlement agreementA written agreement in which divorcing spouses record how they've settled issues such as property, debts, support and, often, parenting.
- Domestic violence screening in mediationThe safeguards courts and mediators use when there has been domestic violence between the parties, from screening questions before mediation to safety measures, or not mediating at all.
- Mediated settlement agreement (MSA)A written agreement the parties sign at the end of a successful mediation.
- Collaborative lawA process for resolving a dispute, often a divorce, without a court deciding it, in which each party signs a participation agreement and is represented by a collaborative lawyer.
- Dependency mediation (Florida)In Florida, mediation of child welfare cases: dependency cases and cases about a child or a family that needs services.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Family mediation: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/family-mediation/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.