alternative, dispute, resolution

The Family Financial Settlement Program was established to assist separating couples in resolving financial disputes. Couples ordered to the program will likely be required to participate in mediation. During mediation, they will sit down with their attorneys and a mediator to discuss issues of property and debt division, child support and alimony and to consider ways to resolve these issues. The mediator is not a judge and will not make decisions for the parties. Instead, the mediator will function as a facilitator and referee, working to help the parties develop and refine their own agreement. If the parties can settle their disputes, their litigation will conclude and they will be spared the time and stress involved in protracted legal proceedings and trial. The parties will also have eliminated the inherent risk involved in litigation and assured themselves of an outcome that they find mutually acceptable and that meets some, if not all, of their needs. In addition to mediation, the Family Financial Settlement Program allows parties to agree to use other settlement alternatives, including early neutral evaluation and where authorized in a district, judicial settlement conferences.

Statutory References: NCGS 7A-38.4A