Alabama Mediation Process

THE MEDIATION PROCESS IS ENCOURAGED

The Court encourages parties in contested matters to consider mediation of their dispute. The reasons for the policy include: (1) the parties have a say in how the dispute is resolved – instead of the Court deciding the matter, (2) the costs of litigation can be reduced, (3) frequently in probate court matters the parties are family members and will remain family members after the dispute is resolved – unlike most litigants in civil litigation; and (4) conservation of the Court’s resources.

When the Court appoints a mediator, the Alabama Civil Court Mediation Rules and the Alabama Code of Ethics for Mediators apply, as appropriate. Copies of these rules are available from the Probate Court Clerk’s Office.

For more information concerning Alabama’s court mediation program, please visit: http://www.alabamaadr.org/ or telephone the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution at (334) 269-0409.