Rule 1.6 Mediation by Agreement, Local Rule, or Court Order

Mediation is a way for people to work out disagreements with the help of a neutral third person, instead of going through a full court hearing. In orphans' court cases, which often involve estates, trusts, and guardianships, all the people involved can agree in writing to try mediation.

A judge can also order the parties to try mediation, either through a local court rule that applies to all similar cases or through a direct order in a specific case. The mediation can be run privately or supervised by the court.

Anything said or shared during mediation is kept confidential under Pennsylvania law. This means what happens in mediation generally cannot be used against you later in court.