Will Divorce Mediation Work for You?

When you think of divorce, you may think of a long and drawn out court process where you and your spouse argue back and forth about property division, spousal support, and child custody. While this is the most common scenario for many couples, alternative divorce methods are increasing in popularity. Many couples are seeking ways to prevent the negativity that can result from litigation and end their marriage on peaceful and amicable terms. One way this can be accomplished is through divorce mediation.

How to Tell If You Should Mediate

Mediation requires a divorcing couple to sit down with a third party in order to resolve their issues and disputes. Mediation is a way for a couple to develop a plan that works for them as they move forward in their lives without taking their spouse to court over every single disagreement. The mediator is there to keep the lines of communication open and keep each person focused on the eventual outcome of their case instead of the conflicts that may arise. As such, mediation only works if both spouses are invested in the outcome.

Wondering if mediation is right for you? Mediation works best when:

• The decision to divorce was mutual between you and your spouse
• You think your spouse is a good parent
• You have no desire to reconcile with one another
• There is no issue of drug and/or alcohol abuse or physical violence
• You want to remain friendly with one another
• You can negotiate with your spouse without fear of intimidation
• You do not blame yourself or your spouse for the divorce
• You can argue with your spouse without losing control of your emotions
• The financial situation is understood

Every couple is completely different and what may work for some may not work for others. When divorce is involved, it is easy for there to be a lot of hurt feelings and misunderstandings that make regularly meeting with a spouse difficult. If mediation may cause more problems than good in your divorce, you have the option of seeking traditional litigation with the help of a trusted lawyer.