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Couples who have decided it’s time for divorce tend to have difficult-to-resolve conflicts. However, divorcing partners with unresolved issues can still part ways amicably with the aid of a highly skilled mediator. Divorce mediation is a more approachable and friendly way to solve divorce-related issues. It can spare you the time and stress of going to court to painstakingly handle subsequent issues such as custody, child support, and alimony. Read on to find out the benefits of embracing divorce mediation as well as the importance of involving an experienced Cary divorce mediator.
Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution that uses a mediator. The mediator acts as a neutral third party to help the divorcing couples reach a mutual agreement, where hopefully both spouses are happy with the outcome. The main objective of mediation is to help spouses agree on how they will face the significant matters that will arise due to the dissolution of their marriage. Moreover, it seeks to save them the extra time, expenses, and stress involved in going to court.
The mediator works to help spouses reach acceptable compromises. Unlike judges, mediators do not impose a decision. The spouses, with the help of their individual lawyers, will be the ones to actually come to a decision. Instead, the mediator will listen and help direct the conversation in order to resolve any challenging or seemingly insurmountable conflicts.
Divorce mediation involves the divorcing couple having a conversation guided by a certified family financial mediator who plays the role of an objective third party. The partners are free to choose how and where to start the mediation to try and work through the issues that arise at the termination of their marriage.
The mediation process is beneficial for numerous reasons. For one, a mediator can help the spouses resolve some of the challenging and daunting marital issues such as division of debts, child visitation, child custody, distribution of marital assets, payment of spousal support, and payment of child support. This way, the partners can come into a mutual agreement on how they can go about the above issues and do not have to leave the decision up to a judge.
Other benefits are as follows:
Unlike in the case of an arbitrator, a family law mediator does not listen to testimony and evidence to decide who is right or wrong. They are a neutral go-between who guides negotiations between the couple that finds it hard to resolve issues on their own. Basically, their role is to carefully listen to the concerns brought up and guide the discussion to eventually lead to a constructive resolution.
Mediators are trained individuals who identify the points of contention and ensure that the negotiations are focused on practical conflict resolution methods rather than bringing up old battles. The emphasis is more on how the two partners will interact later after parting ways. This becomes even more important in a case where children are involved.
A mediator will also help quickly reconcile minor misunderstandings which are natural when going through such an emotional process. Furthermore, they offer an objective and realistic understanding of each spouse’s position and how best to go about resolving any differences of opinion. In the process, both partners are saved from the hefty costs associated with going to court if they fail to sort out such challenging issues early on.
When choosing a mediator, a divorcing couple has many options. A counselor, therapist, minister, pastor, or priest could all serve as mediators, but we believe that an experienced divorce lawyer is always going to be the best option when entering into mediation for divorce or separation. A family law attorney who has extensive experience handling the legal aspects of a divorce will be best equipped to make sure that no detail is overlooked when coming to a resolution on each aspect of the divorce.
Whether you need an experienced family lawyer to act as your mediator, or if you are entering into mediation and need a divorce lawyer to represent you, the attorneys at Triangle Smart Divorce can help. We have helped many clients throughout the years resolve their issues through mediation and we have the experience and certifications necessary to help you too. If you and your spouse are ready to reach an agreement and address your current needs by working through the legal issues impacting the family’s life, contact us today to schedule a call with a Cary divorce mediation lawyer.
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When preparing for mediation, here are a few things you should consider:
Yes, it is always advisable for each party to bring a lawyer with them to mediation. Once all disputes have been resolved and each party agrees to the terms, a divorce decree, separation agreement, or consent order will need to be drawn up. Because the mediator MUST be an impartial third party, they cannot be the one to draft this. If each party has a divorce lawyer with them at the time of mediation, they will be able to represent their client and draft all necessary documents.
In almost every single scenario, yes, mediation is going to be a more cost-effective way to resolve the challenges that arise during a divorce. Mediation is also usually far less stressful and time-consuming than going to court.
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