Mediation is an informal method of coming to a legal agreement between parents with the aid of a third party. While the mediator can be helpful, he or she does not have the authority to make any decisions – the parents are the ones who make every decision during mediation. This process is a relatively new concept, and is required for people who are unable to come to an agreement. However, some people are exempt from the mediation requirement, including those who have a history of domestic violence, child abuse, addiction, mental illness, or other significant factor. Premediation screenings are conducted to determine if mediation should be required or not.