Is mediation right for you?

Is mediation right for you?

Mediating rather than litigating your divorce can be both financially and emotionally beneficial. A mediator is not an alternative to a divorce lawyer but is a great potential asset for those who would like to settle their divorce using a more collaborative method than the courtroom.  Mediation is a good choice for those who aim to minimize conflict and speed up resolution.

This being said, mediation is something both parties must agree to and is only effective if both parties approach the mediation with the desire to find workable solutions. If you cannot imagine having a conversation with your ex spouse in a civil and productive manner, mediation is maybe not for you (though most family law mediation does not involve communication with your spouse during the mediation, usually the mediator goes back and forth to each room). Mediation is a great way to avoid putting your children through a contentious court battle. If you or your ex spouse have been involved in a  Child Protective Services investigation, it is likely that court involvement will be needed.

It is important to think about your priorities before you decide to mediate your divorce and especially before you enter a mediation session. What are the issues or assets most important to you? It is important to recognize what things you feel strongly about and which things you are willing to make greater concessions on. If you have strong opinions on where to send your children to school, but you know your ex spouse vehemently opposes your choice, you need to understand what your rights are and how to proceed if the mediation does not resolve the issue. You should consult your attorney before you enter any mediation session to ensure that you are fully apprised of your rights.

STAY UP TO DATE

Subscribe to our newsletters

 
Subscribe to one or more of our newsletters, delivering meaningful insight on topics that matter to you and your family.
ebl home subscribe image

FURTHER READING

Latest Blog Posts

Everyone who has anyone in their life needs an estate plan, even people who own little or no property.

A common question about legal fees is why they are so high. The following article details what is built into legal fees and explains their cost.

Gifting an estate plan is an act of love because an estate plan goes far beyond material possessions, addressing the emotional, practical, and long-term well-being of your loved ones.

Prenuptial agreements (also known as prenups) can play a pivotal role in safeguarding individual spousal rights in the event of divorce and can also strengthen a marriage.

Valentine’s Day can be tricky for single parents, maybe even you. Unpartnered, at least for the time being, you might not foresee your plans fitting into conventional images of the holiday. But that doesn’t have to be. Valentine’s Day, when you’re single, can be more than a day you need to survive. It can be a day to look forward to.

Collaborative law has evolved into a globally practiced
discipline, extending well beyond the realm of family law, and is used frequently in Seattle divorces.

Classifying January as divorce month could be misleading, given how some of the numbers tell a different story. However, one thing remains clear: January is a great time for a fresh start.

A family law attorney can help with child custody (residential time) by creating or modifying a parenting plan.

Given the importance of the trustee’s role in an estate plan, it is necessary to understand the responsibilities before choosing a trustee or accepting the obligation to become one.

If you and your partner reside in Washington state and are unmarried, you each might qualify for the legal protections availed to you by law by classifying your relationship as a committed intimate relationship.