Urgent: Is Divorce Mediation Voluntary or Required by Court?
Video Transcript
Divorce mediation is usually voluntary, but many courts require spouses to attempt mediation before a judge will schedule certain hearings or set a trial date. Whether it’s mandatory depends on your state’s laws, local court rules, and the issues in dispute (like custody or property). This article explains when courts can order mediation, what happens if a spouse refuses, and how mediation affects the divorce timeline and outcome.
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
So, is divorce mediation, is it voluntary, as we just discussed, or is it court mandated?
Bill Leininger – Divorce Mediation Attorney – Richmond County, NY
That’s changed over the years. Up until recently, New York didn’t have any mandated divorce mediation process. Florida, on the other hand, has had it for over 30 years. So New York has traditionally been slow to adopt mediation.
Again, if I can be very candid with you, a lot of the divorce lawyers have been against it over the years. They feel that it’s going to take a ,000 case and maybe only make ,000, and not 100% in the small case. They want the big case.