If you decide to divorce, you should immediately begin to prepare for mediation. The more you learn about the process the easier it is to make sound decisions that allow you to push forward in a timely and efficient manner.
Here are several important divorce mediation questions to answer:
- Can it really work? Many people assume that divorce mediation is a waste of time since they’re unable to get along with the other person. Even if you’re on bad terms, you can still use mediation to work through all divorce-related issues, such as property division and child custody.
- What does the mediator do to help? This person isn’t a judge, so they can’t make decisions for you. What a mediator can do, however, is act as a neutral party to help move the process forward.
- How long does divorce mediation take to complete? There is no single answer to this question, as it depends on factors such as the types of disputes, number of disputes and the willingness of both parties to negotiate and compromise. Generally speaking, most divorce mediation sessions last anywhere between one and two hours.
- Will you spend any time in court? As long as you work everything out in mediation, you are not required to make a court appearance. Instead, the mediator, if the person is an attorney, can file all the necessary paperwork with the court.
- Is divorce mediation really cheaper than litigation? There is no way of saying for sure, but it’s generally cheaper to divorce through mediation than to spend a lot of time in the court system.
- Is it possible for your case to be too complicated? Mediation can assist with even the most complex divorce cases, so it’s always worth it to learn more and give the process your all.
Answering these questions, among others, will help you better prepare for divorce mediation.
As the process begins, keep a few things in mind:
- You have the right to fight for what you deserve
- You’ll need to compromise at some point
- You don’t have to be in a rush
Divorce mediation may not be simple, but many people find it preferable to litigation. It provides you with more control, while putting you in position to save both time and money.