No.

In mediation, the mediator facilitates negotiations, but doesn’t represent either spouse, can’t give legal advice, and can’t be an advocate for either spouse. In a Collaborative Divorce, each spouse hires a lawyer (and sometimes mental health and financial professionals) to represent him or her during the process, but with settlement as the goal. Their job is to work together ensuring the settlement process stays balanced, positive and productive. We can’t change the fact people divorce. We can change the way people divorce.