You may not have to go to court to settle your divorce and come to a final agreement with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. There are other ways to solve your problems, including divorce mediation. Our Morristown divorce mediation lawyers can help you figure out if this is a good option for you and then we’ll help you make the most of the process.
How Can I Prepare For Divorce Mediation?
Before you go into your first divorce mediation session, you should try to learn a bit more about what to expect. You can meet with your lawyer and ask questions about the process and the mediator’s role in it. You can also think carefully about all of the issues that could be in contention, from property division to child custody, and what kind of agreement you want to reach in these sessions.
If you go in understanding how the mediator’s job works and prepared to discuss some tough topics in-depth, that’s a good starting point.
What Are the Steps in Divorce Mediation?
When you get into your first mediation session, the mediator is going to try and figure out exactly what both of you want. They can foster conversation and make sure that both parties are being heard. If you just keep trying to talk over each other or steamroll one another, nothing will get done.
It can be difficult to put emotions aside here, but taking the time to actually listen to your spouse can make a big difference. Maybe you’re not as far apart on certain issues as you originally thought. Maybe you can see where they are coming from.
Once an agreement is reached, both of you can sign it and it can be brought to a judge. Barring some extreme issues with your agreement, the judge will make it official and binding. So make sure that you have your lawyer look it over before you sign.
What Are the Pros and Cons of This Method?
There are some benefits to choosing divorce mediation. This process is generally going to be less expensive and less time-consuming than litigation. It’s also private. There is no court record and you can agree to keep things confidential going in.
That being said, this doesn’t work for everyone. Divorce mediation is not as effective when there is a large power imbalance between spouses or a history of domestic abuse. Issues like this can make it hard for anyone to have an honest, productive conversation.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
A lawyer will often serve as the mediator, but you should also have an attorney of your own. Your lawyer can advise you outside of your mediation sessions and help you review any agreements reached. They can make sure that any deal you sign is in your best interest.
Contact Our Law Firm
When you are ready to explore alternate methods of dispute resolution, contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark. We can help you take advantage of the divorce mediation process and come to a mutually agreeable solution.