If you decide to divorce, it won’t be long before you’re learning more about mediation. While you may not know exactly what to expect, you realize that it’s the best way to work through your differences to eventually put your marriage in the past.
Here are a few things you should know about the divorce mediation process:
- The first meeting is when you sit down with the mediator to define the issues that need to be resolved
- Additional meetings are scheduled so that you and your soon to be ex-spouse can negotiate on the issues at hand, such as child custody, property division and visitation rights
- Once you compromise on each and every issue, the mediator will draft an agreement that outlines every last detail
- You have the opportunity to review the agreement to ensure that it is exactly what you expected
- The mediator will file the papers with the appropriate court
The nice thing about mediation is that you are not required to show your face in court at any point. As long as everything goes as planned, your mediator will take care of everything with the court system.
There is no way of knowing if you will resolve all your issues through mediation, but it’s the best place to start. Even though you may run into some resistance, it’s imperative to stick with the process and do your best to make it work.
When you combine knowledge of divorce mediation with a clear idea of your legal rights, you’ll feel better about your ability to put your marriage in the past.
Source: FindLaw, “Divorce Mediation FAQ,” accessed March 30, 2018
