Mediation is a voluntary process to resolve differences. Unlike court, parties to mediation may negotiate a dispute with the assistance of a trained, skilled “neutral”. The neutral is a licensed mediator that has the tools, education, training, and experience to assist you. At the end of mediation, the parties sign a stipulation. That stipulation is then mirror-imagined into a court order.
In Divorce cases, parties are usually required to make at least one good faith attempt to settle their case by mediation before a court will allow a trial date to be set. There is no harm in trying the peaceful, less formal approach of mediation. If you cannot agree, then you have at least tried. You have sharpened your case and nothing offered, rejected, or discussed, may be used as evidenced in court as a result of mediation disclosure.