Mediation now required for all Yakima County civil, domestic cases
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Divorces, landlord lawsuits and court-ordered parenting plans; they all have one thing in common. They're cases that are now required to go through mediation.
"You know how people grow apart? And you can't get that person to understand, but you're ready to let go and they're not? That's kind of where we're at," said "Heather."
It's an emotional time for this woman who didn't want to be identified by her real name.
She says her three-year marriage is on the rocks and plans to divorce her husband of three years.
"I get the same broken promises over and over and over again," said "Heather."
In order to get a divorce, she now has to go through a mandatory mediation session.
It's part of a new county court program requiring all domestic relations and civil cases to see a third party.
"It often takes the assistance of a third party that is not involved in the dispute to see a way to the future," said Dispute Resolution Center Mediation Coordinator Meredith Bruch.
The Dispute Resolution Center works with the county on these issues.
Even people looking to bring small claims against their bosses or landlords are subject to the rule. And, it comes out of their pocket.
Bruch says her center works with people who might have trouble paying.
Court administrators say the program was put in place to help resolve cases faster and to reduce backlogs. KIMA is told six months into program, the court has already noticed a difference.
"Heather" says she won't mind paying for the service if it helps her get out of her marriage.
"A lot of women, especially, we don't get heard. And, culturally being Hispanic, we don't get heard. You're the woman, you stay at home. You don't argue," said "Heather."
Mediators at the DRC say they already noticed a 30-percent increase in domestic cases.
For people like Heather, it could provide a much needed helping hand.
Court administrators say the program should also cut down on the requests for jury trials as well as the number of cases that are delayed.
Cases involving domestic violence tend to be exempt from the rule.
"You know how people grow apart? And you can't get that person to understand, but you're ready to let go and they're not? That's kind of where we're at," said "Heather."
It's an emotional time for this woman who didn't want to be identified by her real name.
She says her three-year marriage is on the rocks and plans to divorce her husband of three years.
"I get the same broken promises over and over and over again," said "Heather."
In order to get a divorce, she now has to go through a mandatory mediation session.
It's part of a new county court program requiring all domestic relations and civil cases to see a third party.
"It often takes the assistance of a third party that is not involved in the dispute to see a way to the future," said Dispute Resolution Center Mediation Coordinator Meredith Bruch.
The Dispute Resolution Center works with the county on these issues.
Even people looking to bring small claims against their bosses or landlords are subject to the rule. And, it comes out of their pocket.
Bruch says her center works with people who might have trouble paying.
Court administrators say the program was put in place to help resolve cases faster and to reduce backlogs. KIMA is told six months into program, the court has already noticed a difference.
"Heather" says she won't mind paying for the service if it helps her get out of her marriage.
"A lot of women, especially, we don't get heard. And, culturally being Hispanic, we don't get heard. You're the woman, you stay at home. You don't argue," said "Heather."
Mediators at the DRC say they already noticed a 30-percent increase in domestic cases.
For people like Heather, it could provide a much needed helping hand.
Court administrators say the program should also cut down on the requests for jury trials as well as the number of cases that are delayed.
Cases involving domestic violence tend to be exempt from the rule.
