End of life issues necessarily involve family members and create emotional situations. Family court should be the forum for end of life cases because regular courts have been unsuccessful at balancing all the involved interests and because family court is better equipped to deal with end of life situations. Mediation is a viable litigation alternative in these cases, and family courts can effectively implement mediation programs.
A year-long study which examined the effect of child-focused and child inclusive mediation on parenting disputes. Parents were encouraged to focus on the needs and wishes of their children in mediating their disputes. This type of mediation resulted in a higher rate of repair for parental relationships and allowed for emotionally available parenting in the midst of divorce proceedings.