MEDIATION COULD HELP IN DIVORCE ISSUES

When it comes to divorce, children are often the real losers. Sometimes the good of the children is overshadowed by parental quarrels over child support, custody and visitation.

That is why a new program of mediation for child support and visitation disputes may work wonders.

A pilot program started last fall in four judicial circuits of the state will be expanded to Cape Girardeau County, thanks to the efforts of state Rep. Mary Kasten.

Twenty-four area lawyers and mental-health professionals have signed up for the 40 hours of training. The effort is funded by state and federal dollars.

This one-on-one mediation could go a long way toward resolving disputes between parents without going back to court. The court system is already bogged down with a growing number of pressing cases. The last thing judges need is to constantly modify existing orders. But that's just what's happening.

Statewide, judges granted 13,000 divorces involving child-support orders in fiscal year 1997. They also handled 10,000 motions to modify court orders last year.

Divorce is never easily, especially when children are involved. This new mediation program may help families reach accord and save taxpayer dollars in the long run.