It’s natural to have some reservations as you inch toward divorce mediation. On one side of things, you’re happy that you’re finally taking action to put your marriage in the past. On the other side, you may have some concerns about how the process will shake out.
A divorce mediator is specially trained to help divorcing couples resolve a variety of issues, such as those pertaining to:
- Property and debt division
- Child support
- Child custody
- Spousal support
It’s important to remember that a divorce mediator is not the same as a family law judge. A mediator is staffed with the responsibility of facilitating communication and moving negotiations forward. This person doesn’t have the power to make legally binding decisions.
A judge, however, can make legally binding decisions, meaning you don’t have as much control over the process.
Here are some of the many things a divorce mediator can do:
- Make sure that both individuals have time to speak without interruption
- Ask for clarification of any points that may be cloudy
- Provide information on the legal system
- Share information on how a judge will view a particular issue
- Identify a variety of solutions to every problem
If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are willing to communicate, negotiate and compromise, you may come to find that divorce mediation is the best way to work everything out.
As you prepare for mediation, learn more about the process and the steps you can take to protect your legal rights. Knowing what to expect will allow you to prepare for everything that comes your way.