Can Divorce Mediation Work For You?

When people call my office to inquire about my divorce mediation services, they’re usually on the fence if it’s going to work for them or not.  “Do we have to have everything figured out?” and “What if my spouse and I aren’t exactly on great terms?  Can we still mediate?”  Both common questions I hear day in and day out.

The good news is the answer to both of them is no!  You don’t need to have everything figured out, nor do you have to be getting along famously.  If you were getting along perfectly, you probably wouldn’t be looking for mediator.  And as far as having it all figured out, that’s what mediation is for.

 

Can divorce mediation work for you?

There are three things you'll need to think about in order to decide if mediation can work in your situation.

1. Are you willing to put the time and work into mediating?  There’s a reason mediation costs much less than hiring a lawyer to represent you during a divorce.  It’s because in mediation, I work with you to help you gather the necessary documents and complete the required forms and  worksheets as opposed to letting your attorney take care of it for you.  When you do it it’s free.  When they do it, it’s billed hourly.  I won't leave you alone to go off and try and figure it out on your own. I will guide you expertly through the entire process.
2. Do you love your children?  While this may seem like an obvious question the reality is mediation works best if you and your spouse are child-focused.  All of the decisions you make in mediation should be centered around what’s best for your children.  Minimizing the disturbance your divorce will have on your children is always our goal.
3. Are you reasonable people?  Mediation is about negotiation and compromise. If you or your spouse think you’re entitled to 100% of anything mediation isn’t going to work for you.  But if you are willing to discuss the issues like rational adults and focus on the facts that you’ll both need to be able to live after you’re divorced, then yes, mediation can work for you

Because mediation is a voluntary process, both you and your spouse must be willing to mediate. We can’t force either one of you to come to a session and do the necessary pre-work required.   

To learn how mediation can help you protect your rights and tailor an agreement specific to your family’s needs while saving you time and money, give us a call today at 508-566-4159  to schedule a FREE, no-obligation, private, confidential consultation. We will be happy to discuss the key details of your situation, address any concerns and help you decide if divorce mediation would be beneficial.