Mediation is a non-binding confidential process by which a neutral third party, called a Mediator, assists parties in reaching a partial or complete agreement that settles their case, including all child-related issues.

The Mediator’s role is to assist the Parties in identifying their disputes and exploring possible solutions that will satisfy each Party’s concerns and interests thereby leading to a settlement of all or some their disputes. Under Indiana’s rules for mediation, a Mediator will also file reports with the Court reporting on the progress of mediation and will prepare all written settlement agreements reached through mediation.

Mediation provides parties with the chance to actively make decisions regarding their divorce, including decisions upon the division of marital assets and debts, child custody, parenting time, and child support.

The ADR Fund Mediation Program is a program administered by the DRCB to allow income-qualified parties to participate in mediation.

If the Court orders or allows the ADR Fund Mediation Program in your case:

1. The Court will appoint a DRCB Fund Mediator to serve as the Mediator and order that the Mediation be completed by a specified date.
2. The Parties will meet with the DRCB to determine each Party’s income.
3. The DRCB will determine each Party’s payment responsibility for the Mediation.
4. Once each Party has paid both the DRCB Referral Fee and the ADR Fund Mediation Fee, the case will be released to the Mediator.
5. The Parties will meet with the Mediator for mediation.

If the Parties reach a complete agreement, the Mediator will prepare the agreement, the Parties sign it, and the Mediator files it with the Court, and no further court dates are required.

If the Parties reach only a partial agreement, the Mediator will prepare the partial agreement, the Parties sign it, the Mediator files it with the Court, and the Court will issue an order setting a new court date in your case.

If the Parties do reach any agreements at Mediation, then the Mediator will file a report with the Court and an order will be issued for a new court date in your case at which all of the Parties must personally appear.

Eligibility for the ADR Fund Mediation Program and the fees charged to a party are based on each Party’s income.