What Is Divorce Mediation And Is It Right For You?

What if it was possible to get a divorce without going to court? If you could end your marriage without all the hurt feelings and animosity, would you? Divorce mediation provides the opportunity to dissolve a marriage without putting children in the middle of a conflict, and without terminating a good relationship between both parties. It provides the means to co-parent successfully with your ex while both of your personal interests are looked after. What is divorce mediation though, and is it right for you?

What Is Divorce Mediation?

When people think of divorce, they imagine hostile court hearings and expensive legal fees. Divorce mediation is an option two parties can choose that is cost-efficient and less conflict-oriented. In this method, two parties hire an impartial third party to negotiate an agreement between them. In this mediation, the mediator will walk you through a series of complex issues, taking both of your interests into account, and will help you agree on a settlement. Mediation aims to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties’ needs and wants, maintains an amicable or neutral relationship between the exes, and avoids the expensive legal fees from divorce litigation. Mediation is also popular because of the privacy it provides. There are no public records of what goes on in mediation sessions.

People tend to favor mediation because it gives them more control over their divorce and how different matters are handled. Some of the matters a mediator will help you with include:

• Child custody and child support
• Spousal support
• Property division

Divorce mediation also helps with overall communication between a couple. If a couple is getting a divorce, it’s common that their communication methods are strained and ineffective. Having a divorce mediation lawyer trained in mediation and communication can vastly improve communication between two parties. Sometimes you just need a neutral third party to see things fairly. 

When Mediation Isn’t Right For You

There are many instances in which mediation is a great decision. However, there are also plenty of circumstances in which mediation is not an option. One of the most common instances where mediation is not recommended is in the case of domestic violence. Because of the nature of the relationship between a domestic violence victim and an abuser, there is a heightened risk of tension turning violent. There’s also an increased risk that the abuser will intimidate the victim or threaten them, and they will agree to terms that aren’t actually equatable. 

If one party does not want to get divorced, mediation may not be an option. Mediation relies on both parties being open and willing to communicate and separate. If one party is resistant or unwilling to do this, mediation isn’t an option. 

If you have questions on whether divorce mediation is right for you, you can contact an experienced attorney at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri. We’re located in San Jose, CA, and serve surrounding areas. Our lawyers are trained in mediation and collaborative divorce and can help you through this difficult time as easily as possible. We offer free 30 minute consultations, in person and virtually. Set yours up here.