You and your spouse may not get along any longer, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t put aside your differences to come to an agreement on how to divide your property. Whether you have large assets, unusual property or other concerns, your attorney can help you learn more about the mediation process and why it’s beneficial.
Mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution. With this process, you won’t necessarily end up having to seek help distributing your property in court. You work with a third-party mediator and resolve your property division conflict in a series of sessions that inform you of your options and how they could impact you in the future.
What does a mediator do?
The mediator’s job isn’t to give you a solution to your problems but, instead, to help you understand how the law affects your case. Your mediator also provides ways to handle conflict, so that you can continue to have a conversation without a breakdown in communication.
What are the major benefits of mediation?
Mediation has several benefits. These include:
- Taking less time than a divorce
- Reducing conflict
- Teaching both parties to continue communication despite their differences
- Educating you on the law and how it affects your case
- Costing less than other methods of dispute resolution
- Creating a no-conflict space for your divorce discussions
Overall, people who choose to go through mediation tend to be satisfied with the results. Both parties work to find solutions they agree with, which means that there is a lower chance that they’ll have conflicts in the future over the distribution of their assets.
Most importantly, divorce mediation is educational. The mediator knows the law and knows psychology, so they can work with you to maintain your calm and to approach the situation without your emotions taking control.
Is mediation binding?
Mediation is not a legally binding service, so there is a chance that you could go through mediation and still not have a solution to your problems. Despite that risk, the majority of people who go through mediation do benefit from it.
On the whole, mediation can have a positive impact on your divorce and make it easier to cope with. If you and your spouse are willing to give mediation a try and are willing to try to negotiate with one another, this could be the solution that you’ve been looking for.