| Divorce Mediation Benefits | | | | expertise so call around to make sure you are fully |
| The divorce process is so complicated most people | | | | informed. In my own practice the whole process, on |
| just don't want to deal with it on their own. Traditionally | | | | average, takes between 4-7 hours but there is certain |
| the process of getting a divorce has involved hiring | | | | homework that must be done prior to working with |
| lawyers, going to court and letting a judge or the | | | | me. It is important to know the mediator's success rate |
| lawyers decide and/or negotiate the outcome. The | | | | and how many meetings it usually takes. Mediation is a |
| couple plays the most passive role in the legal drama. | | | | tiny fraction of the cost of litigation. In California where |
| Because the decisions are coming from above instead | | | | the average cost of a divorce is $20,000 per side, |
| of the couple themselves fashioning a result, it is often | | | | mediation will always be less. The financial benefits of |
| difficult for the couple to comfortably live with the final | | | | mediation are obvious but more importantly, you will be |
| outcome. | | | | comfortable enough with your spouse to co-parent |
| Most people resent solutions that are imposed on | | | | your children. This is the best gift you can give to your |
| them. It is natural that individuals are more satisfied | | | | children. I ought to know, I was one of those kids |
| when they get to decide for themselves instead of | | | | caught in the middle. This is why I do what I do. Using |
| being told what to do. When the couple is more | | | | mediation instead of litigation brings some sanity back |
| actively involved in creating the terms of their own | | | | into the divorce process because the adversarial |
| divorce instead of having to put up with the "one size | | | | system destroys families. So ask yourself, what kind |
| fits all" solution that the legal process gives them, there | | | | of divorce do you want? Peaceful divorce is an idea |
| is a better fit and more of a commitment to make it | | | | whose time has come. |
| work. | | | | How To Choose A Mediator |
| So here is the most important question, does it make | | | | So let's assume you want to proceed with mediation. |
| sense to avoid the adversarial system for your | | | | You want to make sure the mediator you use has a |
| divorce? If keeping out of court and saving money on | | | | great track record. The most important thing you want |
| legal fees while protecting your assets and | | | | to know is how many couples have they worked with |
| co-parenting relationship sounds good to you, then you | | | | and what percentage settled. Once you find that out |
| really ought to explore mediation. Mediation is not for | | | | you can compare price, length of time it takes and |
| everyone but it is perfect for couples who are honest | | | | other factors like personality and sex of the mediator |
| and ethical. | | | | before you make up your mind. The important thing is |
| What A Mediator Does | | | | to have all the information you need to make an |
| The attorney who acts as mediator does not | | | | informed decision. Remember you only get one |
| represent either party but acts as a neutral facilitator | | | | chance to have a "good divorce" so don't go down |
| who is a resource for both. The couple can ask the | | | | the wrong road because you won't like the destination. |
| attorney/mediator legal questions and receive help in | | | | Is Mediation Right For You |
| arriving at all the terms of their divorce. The mediator | | | | Divorce mediation works best with honest people who |
| drafts the marital settlement agreement, which is the | | | | are not hiding assets and just want a result that is fair. |
| document that is attached to the Judgment. The judge | | | | Most couples who are in the initial stages of thinking |
| signs the agreement without the couple ever going to | | | | about getting a divorce would do well to meet with a |
| court and the divorce becomes final 6 months from | | | | divorce mediator as opposed to hiring their own |
| the day the initial papers were filed and served. When | | | | attorneys. You only get one chance at getting a |
| the mediator has a powerful intention to complete the | | | | divorce without acrimony. Once you start to go down |
| divorce process instead of dragging it out, the results | | | | that adversarial road, it is that much harder to get back |
| are miraculous. | | | | to a place where you can function comfortably as |
| How Much Does Mediation Cost? | | | | co-parents. |
| Mediator fees vary depending on location and | | | | |