How the Mediation Center Helps
The Mediation Center of Dutchess County helps people have the difficult conversations they need to have.
For families, we offer affordable opportunities for high-quality
mediation in which family members in conflict may reach agreements and/or avoid or reduce time in court.
Who Comes to Mediation?
What Issues Do They Address?
The list is varied and includes:
- Separated or divorced parents who need to resolve custody arrangements, visitation
schedules, child support, and make other decisions;
- Adult children who are in conflict over the care and financial arrangements for
their aging parents, estate issues, adult guardianship, and other important family issues;
- Parents and children who disagree on curfews, friends, hours of television, chores.
. .
In these and many other conflict situations, people who want to deal with their disputes and make
their own decisions turn to the Mediation Center of Dutchess County, Inc. for help
How Mediation Works
In mediation, people in conflict talk face-to-face about the issues important to them with the help
of an impartial third party.
Surprising things happen in mediation. The surprise may be
that parties develop a new understanding of their dispute or of the other party’s view of it.
Through mediation, people often become clearer about their options and their best course of action.
Most important: both parties retain the power to act on their own insights and decisions.
Whatever happens in mediation, the outcome is decided by the parties in conflict—not
by the mediator.
Mediation is based upon the idea that people are capable of knowing and doing what is in their
best interests.
Mediation gives individuals the opportunity and power to be clear about and to make their own decisions.
Mediation is a voluntary process, and it is confidential.
Referrals
People may call the Mediation Center on their own or they may be referred to the Center by friends,
family, counselors, schools, agencies, courts, and other sources. Once the Center has been contacted,
a staff person will speak with each participant to talk about the situation and, if parties agree,
the staff will schedule a session with a mediator.
Fees for Family Mediation
Each participant’s fee in a family mediation is based on his or her income. Fees range between
$25-$75.
