As you may know, litigation alternatives like mediation and collaborative law are available for divorcing Everett, Washington, residents. These alternatives, especially divorce mediation, appeal to many because they are generally:
- Faster
- More affordable
- Less antagonistic
- More private
Once you have chosen mediation as an alternative to divorce litigation, you want to do all you can to ensure success. After all, if your attempts at mediation fail, you will have to start all over again.
These tips help many couples succeed at mediation
The first and perhaps most critical tip is self-education. Before embarking on any legal journey, it is wise to understand what you are doing and what is required. As is so with divorce litigation, there are laws and rules that you must abide by to emerge from mediation successfully. Knowledge of divorce mediation laws gives you a sturdy foundation on which to begin.
Other tips include:
- Prepare to commit: It can take a few sessions to complete divorce mediation, making your commitment to the process vital.
- Be ready to compromise: A willingness to compromise will help you succeed, but it is wise to decide what you can give up ahead of mediation.
- Know your issues: Take a list of your most-concerning divorce issues into your mediation sessions to help you remain focused (children, property, etc.).
- Be open to cooperation: When both spouses cooperate during mediation, it is possible to emerge with a mutually acceptable divorce settlement.
We also suggest forming an accurate picture of your current financial situation and what you might need in the future before mediation. Doing so empowers you to know what negotiation points are the most critical for your situation.
