Southport Mediation Attorney
Last updated on September 25, 2026
Mediation is a process where parties attempt to resolve their family law issues with aid of a neutral party and without court intervention. A Southport mediation lawyer can help guide this process, enabling parties to reach their own agreements while taking into account each person’s needs and interests. In divorce or custody situations, mediation can help maintain the family’s integrity and helps individuals move forward with their lives in a civil and respectful manner.
At Reich & Truax, PLLC, our attorneys provide mediation services for family law matters. We can help determine if this is the right option for your situation. From our Southport office, we serve clients throughout Connecticut.
Entering Into Mediation
Parties can enter mediation either before or after an action such as a divorce proceeding commences. Many parties choose mediation from the beginning, although others may seek help after an action has commenced in order to stop further litigation.
Trained Mediators
Although Southport has no formal requirements for the practice of mediation in private settings, it is helpful to choose a mediator who has formalized training or certification. Some mediators in our office have been trained for certification through the Florida Supreme Court mediation program, while others have taken local training. Florida is one of the states that requires certification and has extensive rules and regulations with respect to mediators and mediation, including mandatory continuing mediation education.
The Mediation Process
At the outset, the mediator in our office will meet with the parties for a brief session to ensure that they are appropriate candidates for a mediated settlement. If all parties agree to proceed with mediation, we will then discuss the discovery and financial documents to be provided during the mediation process for full and accurate disclosure. It is only with full disclosure that the parties can reach a fair and equitable agreement.
It is important to note that mediators do not represent either party in the mediation process, but instead act as a neutral intended to help them reach an agreement on their own. The mediator will neither file court papers nor appear in court on either party’s behalf.
Family Law Matters You Can Address Through Mediation
Mediation can help you resolve many issues that arise during a divorce or custody case. It gives you and the other party a structured way to discuss each concern and work toward terms you can both accept. If you have children, you can address legal custody, parenting schedules, holidays and other decisions that affect their daily lives. You may also discuss child support and alimony when those issues apply to your case.
Financial concerns often become an important part of mediation as well. You and the other party can discuss how to divide property, assign responsibility for debts and resolve other financial issues connected to your separation. Mediation may also help you address disputes involving a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Because every family has different priorities, the process can focus on the specific issues that matter most to you.
Why Some Families Choose Mediation Instead Of Litigation
Mediation gives you a more direct role in decisions that may affect your family for years. Instead of asking a judge to resolve every disputed issue, you and the other party can explore possible terms with guidance from a neutral mediator. This approach gives you more flexibility to consider arrangements that reflect your schedules, finances and parenting responsibilities.
Mediation can also provide more privacy than resolving disputed issues in open court. For parents, reducing conflict may help preserve a more workable co-parenting relationship after the case ends. You may also have greater flexibility when scheduling mediation sessions around work and family obligations. If you reach an agreement during a Connecticut family case, the court can review the terms and may enter them as an order.
The process may also reduce the time spent in litigation because you can focus on the issues that still require an agreement. However, mediation does not follow a fixed timeline. The length of the process depends on the number of disputes, the level of conflict and how quickly both parties provide the information needed to continue.
When Might Mediation Not Be The Right Choice?
Mediation works best when both people can participate safely, communicate openly and provide complete information. Before you begin, you should consider whether any issue could prevent fair and productive discussions. Those concerns may include:
- Domestic violence, threats or coercive control
- A serious imbalance in bargaining power
- Hidden assets or refusal to provide financial records
- An urgent need for a court order, including emergency custody or protective orders
- Substance use or another condition that limits meaningful participation
These concerns do not always make mediation impossible. In some situations, separate sessions, attorney involvement or other safeguards may support a safer and more balanced process. Your safety and your ability to make informed decisions should remain central when deciding whether mediation is appropriate for your case.
Contact Our Lawyers To Find Out If Divorce Mediation Is Right For You
Mediation is often less expensive and time-consuming than traditional litigation. To learn more, call us at 203-763-4969 or contact us online. We serve clients in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut.