Administrative Order Number 8
Termination of Mediation
This Order is effective January 1, 2011 and to remain in effect until further order of this Court.
Pursuant to the purpose and intent of the Family Court of the 25th Judicial Circuit, Judge Tracy L. Storie, Presiding Judge, hereby makes the following orders to assist with efficiency and to clarify the termination of mediation procedure under the Family Court.
- 1. At any time after two hours of mediation, either party may terminate mediation ordered under Administrative Order Number 5.
-
- 2. The mediator shall terminate mediation whenever the mediator believes:
- a. Continuation of the process would harm or prejudice one or more of the parties or any child of the parties; or
- b. The inability or unwillingness of any party to participate in meaningful mediation is such that a reasonable agreement is unlikely.
-
- 3. The mediator shall cause a report of the termination of mediation to be mailed to the Family Court Judge within seven (7) days of termination of mediation.
-
- 4. The Family Court Judge shall have the authority, duty and responsibility to allow for up to four (4) hours of mediation services at the established contract rate of $100.00 per hour. The 25th Judicial Circuit will automatically pay for the first two hour session and any administration fee as long as funding resources are available to the 25th Judicial Circuit's Family Court if funds do not exist from any other contract or grant for the payment of such mediation services.
-
- 5. Each Family Court Judge has the authority to order any person earning or capable of earning $30,000 or more a year to pay for all mediation hours in excess of four (4) hours.