Things to know about Divorce Mediation

Divorcing someone can be a painful and stressful situation, often lasting for years as the couple try and negotiate leaving each other’s lives and how to best handle the situation. It is a very tricky and hurtful process to navigate, especially if it is affecting other people in the couples family and circle of friends. This is why it is best to find the best mediator possible, to make the whole process a lot smoother. There are several steps that a divorcing couple can follow to help the decision less painful and to ensure that there is a minimal impact on both themselves as well as for those who love them.

If two people also know what to expect before they enter into divorce mediations, this may also make the entire process less daunting and lessen the emotional distress. Even though it may seem painful, it is best to remember that divorce mediation might cost less money and be less tough than contested litigation, so it is best for divorcing couples to thoroughly research their options before going through with anything.

So, what happens during the divorce mediation proceedings?

No matter what happens, nor what the situation or extenuating circumstances are, divorce mediation proceedings will always be complicated and upsetting. Unfortunately, there is no way to prepare for this. However, it is possible to research and thus understand exactly what will happen during divorce mediation, just to make the process smoother. A divorce mediation is when an objective third party (neutral from both sides of the case) helps the divorcing couple decide outcomes on various legalities that occur while undergoing divorce. This will typically be through a court appointed session, but private mediators are also available to those who would prefer that. (It is worth noting that a private mediator will most likely be more expensive than a court appointed mediator, but some people prefer them as they only work for themselves and may be more invested in the case). Mediation will usually consist of a few different negotiations and business points: alimony, custody of any animals or children, the allocation of physical property, the allocation of separate retirement accounts and the division of any outstanding debts.

Will the mediator make the decisions for the divorcing couple?

No. It is not the job of the mediator to actually make the decisions for the ex-couple they are presiding over, that is not their role within the proceedings. A divorce mediator’s job is to ensure that both sides of the case understand what is going to happen and the implications of all the decisions they make independently. The thing that divorce mediators have to watch out for is how their thoughts about the situation come across to the separating parties. Every divorcing couple will be different, even if the circumstances may seem similar and a good mediator will be able to navigate this accordingly – it is always best to find an experienced mediator with those qualities.