As you move closer to divorce, there could come a point when you realize that mediation is the best way to make your way to the finish line.
As long as the other individual is willing to give mediation a try, you will find yourself in position to use this process to your advantage. With the right approach, mediation will give you more control while also saving you time and money.
While no two divorce mediation processes are exactly the same, here are some of the many steps that will unfold:
- The mediator will introduce the process and give an overview of what to expect
- Each person has the opportunity to discuss one’s stance and the disputes at hand
- The mediator will kick off discussions in an attempt to get both individuals talking about the issues
- The mediator will do his or her best to bring both sides together, hoping that the individuals are willing to compromise
- In the event of a successful mediation, the agreement is put in writing for both people to review
- If the mediation doesn’t work and both individuals are ready to move on, the mediator will summarize what happened and provide advice on the next steps (which typically means litigation)
Although this is a basic overview of the divorce mediation process, it should give you a better idea of what to expect along the way. The key to success is to know what you want and having a willingness to compromise to push things forward.
There are sure to be questions and challenges along the way, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on divorce mediation altogether. You should do whatever you can (within reason) to make this work, as it’s one of the best ways to resolve your problems without spending an excess amount of time and money on traditional litigation.
