Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is a voluntary settlement process frequently used successfully by married couples wanting to divorce, or domestic partners who want to separate. Divorce mediation gives couples the option to plan their futures rationally and in an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect. Using the assistance of a trained divorce mediator can help you reach an agreement that is customized to the needs of your family, your finances and your future.

Advantages of Divorce Mediation

• It is more private than court and will help protect the children.
• It is less expensive (in most cases) than court.
• It is usually faster than court.
• It allows for an easier emotional recovery.
• It is less adversarial and allows for a more amicable relationship between the parties before and after the divorce.
• Your legal rights are still protected, as you will hire a lawyer to review the settlement before it goes in front of the judge.
• You can stop the mediation process at any time.

The Role of the Divorce Mediator

As a divorce mediator, I act as a neutral party to work with couples and help negotiate settlements that are in their best interests and their family’s best interests. A divorce mediator will usually help you better understand and communicate your individual and common interests so that you can explore reasonable options, make good decisions and reach solid agreements that benefit your family.

“Why should I/we consider divorce mediation?”

Divorce is not only a legal and economic process, but it is also an emotional process. It can even be traumatic. The longer the process takes, the longer it takes for all parties, including the children, to get through the emotional turmoil of the grief/loss associated with losing familiarity and adjusting to the changing dynamics around the family.

Divorce mediation can lessen the stress of a full-blown litigious process, which can be quite drawn out and costly. Divorce mediation is more expedient and encourages a spirit of cooperation. It is also more emotionally protective to the family, meaning that the process is more private. It is also more advantageous in helping participants look after the needs of the children, and perhaps their further underlying needs. It helps to go forward and move you along in the process, i.e. guiding and preserving “self determination,” which is the power of mediation.

Couples should consider the questions below in order to determine if divorce mediation is an option for your marriage or domestic partnership.

Take the Quiz

1. Do you want a process that gives you more control over your future?
2. Would you prefer a process that provides a cost-effective way to separate or divorce?
3. Would you consider a process that is emotionally protective of your family?
4. Would you like a process that focuses on the best interests of your children?
5. Are you able to work through your separation or divorce in a spirit of cooperation for the most part?

If you and your spouse/partner answered “yes” to most of these questions, then mediation is probably a viable solution for your family, which often costs less and is faster than a litigated divorce.