By now, you may have heard about the benefits of divorce mediation. Using mediation to resolve your divorce can save you time and money, as well as increase your chance of a peaceful, satisfactory resolution to your divorce.
However, it is wise to consider whether mediation is right for you.
What happens at mediation?
When you mediate your divorce, you sit down with your attorney a mediator to discuss the issues in your divorce, with the hopes of coming to an agreement on them. Your spouse sits down with his or her attorney, separately, and the mediator will also speak with them. The mediator does not make decisions like a judge. Think of the mediator as a “go between” during the mediation process.
When mediation may not be appropriate
Mediation may not be a good idea in cases involving domestic abuse or certain power imbalances that are best assessed by an experienced family law attorney.
Prepare to mediate successfully
If you work with an experienced family law attorney, they can help you prepare for mediation. This includes understanding your finances, the law surrounding any child-related issues, as well as any other matters that may need to be addressed. You will also need to prepare for the emotions that can arise during mediation, and have a plan for how to handle them. When properly prepared, clients can achieve great success through mediation, and work to craft an agreement that is practical and functional for them.