As you discuss your options with your family law attorney, one route you may have heard about is mediation. During mediation, you and your spouse and, possibly, your attorneys work with a third-party—who is entirely neutral and not connected in any way to either side—to help you reach agreements about the various issues in your divorce. As you consider your options, learn more about how mediation can be beneficial in your case.
They Will Ask Questions
Your mediator will ask you and your spouse a lot of questions so they can get a better understanding of the situation from both your perspectives. The simple act of asking these questions can help you and your spouse articulate your thoughts on various areas of the divorce, and you will both be able to understand each other’s interests and concerns a little better than before.
They Will Help You Identify the Issues
A divorce mediator with experience may be able to discover issues in your divorce that neither you nor your spouse even realized were there. Depending on what the mediator uncovers, they recommend you speak to your respective attorneys or consult with financial professionals or other neutral professionals as needed. This can help with your mediation process overall.
They Will Help You Communicate
Discussing divorce issues with your spouse can be quite difficult. If all you and/or your spouse have been doing is spending energy and time blaming each other, it can be tough to be productive or move forward in settlement discussions. It can also result in conversations that do nothing but go in circles. Your mediator can help you rise above this by setting ground rules you and your spouse will have to follow when it comes to communication during the process. This can help you two communicate during mediation and even after the divorce.
In addition to helping with communication troubles, a mediator can help you when you are stuck on one or more issues in your divorce. They may table discussions on that issue temporarily, re-frame the issue and allow you and your spouse to approach it from another direction or try to find some other angle that will allow both of you to move past it.
They Will Keep the Talks Moving
Naturally, discussions about divorce matters can be tough, sensitive and emotional. A conversation without a mediator involved can spiral or end up in venting and mud-slinging without any productive dialogue. It’s healthier for you and your spouse to focus on looking forward to your respective new normals and work on getting there.
Your mediator can help get you and your spouse out of the mire, so to speak, and focus on looking ahead instead of dwelling on the past. This allows both of you to discuss and address your interests and concerns, which can lead to brainstorming and results.
They Can Help You Keep Costs Down
Going to trial and having a judge decide the major issues of your divorce is expensive and often unsatisfying. Trying to work with a mediator instead is often less expensive and less emotionally draining than court appearances and battles.
Mediation can be a cost-effective way to settle your divorce issues, and it will spare you the time, money and extra stress that is often involved in a prolonged battle in court. Talk to your family law attorney about possibly using mediation as way to handle your divorce before you make a final decision on which route to take. They will be able to advise you during this process and determine whether it could be a viable option in your case.