Contrary to what you see in the movies and TV, many couples don’t need judges to divvy up the assets in their divorce. Some couples find solutions outside of the court system, either by working it through themselves, with lawyers or with mediators. Divorce mediation is when you and your spouse work with a neutral third party to resolve the issues in your divorce. You can still have your own lawyer, but the mediator encourages open communication and facilitates problem-solving to find a resolution you both can live with.
Mediation Is Less Expensive
With mediation, you and your spouse work with one mediator who is dealing with each of you, eliminating individual meetings and communication with lawyers. You can eliminate some of the court costs by working out your differences before you ever see the judge. Divorce mediation can often be handled in a few months, instead of a year or longer.
Mediation Can Shorten the Divorce Timeline
Mediation can be quicker than the regular process because you’re both committed to finding solutions. You and your spouse can make appointments with your mediator on your schedule, instead of waiting for the court to set dates. You’re only working with one party to make meetings, instead of trying to get two attorneys to line up their schedules.
Mediation Is Confidential
When a judge decides your divorce, everything is public record. When you go through the mediation process, your negotiations are confidential. The only thing that goes on the public record is the paperwork you file for your divorce. Only the mediator knows what happened while you were working out the details of your divorce.
You Learn Techniques to Co-Parent
Mediation isn’t just a process to help you get divorced, it’s a way to learn to work together to co-parent. You will have to renegotiate child custody arrangements many times before the children reach adulthood. You will still have to negotiate your children’s lives after they turn 18. Mediation is a tool you can use for the rest of your lives.
Meditation Gives You Control
Mediation puts you in control of your divorce. It’s not for everyone. When abuse is involved or if your spouse might be hiding assets, mediation may not be the best option. You should still get a divorce lawyer involved to make sure you haven’t missed anything important for your future. Make an appointment with a divorce lawyer to discuss your divorce.