Glossary
Mediation
A confidential settlement process before a neutral third party that may be voluntary or court-ordered and is common before trial.
Also called: Rule 31 mediator, alternative dispute resolution
Tennessee courts commonly order mediation, and in most contested family cases it is effectively a prerequisite to a trial date. Mediators approved for court-ordered work are listed under the applicable Supreme Court rule.
The mediator does not decide anything. The process works by allowing each side to hear a candid assessment of its position from someone with no stake in the outcome, and by permitting offers to be explored without prejudice if the case does not settle.
Preparation determines whether the day is productive. Attending with the evidence organised, the numbers calculated, and a clear view of the alternative to settlement is what turns mediation from a procedural step into a resolution.
General information about Tennessee law, not legal advice. How this applies depends on the facts of your matter.
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