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Mediation is a non-adversarial process in which you, the client, with the assistance of an impartial mediator, make decisions
that affect your life. The agreement that you arrive at must be acceptable to both parties and the agreement then forms the
basis for an uncontested divorce.
Though Divorce mediation is not marriage counseling, the question of saving the
marriage can explored. Supervised communication between the spouses sometimes results in a desire to seek counseling to save
the marriage. However, the primary objective of divorce mediation is to assist parties who have decided upon divorce get through
the process in a less confrontational setting.
The mediator is a neutral party who cannot order either of you to
do anything. The agreement that is reached must be acceptable to both of you. The mediator will help to defuse emotions, and
guide both of you through the many difficult issues. Mediators deal with every issue involved in the dissolution of a marriage:
Distribution of property and debts, child custody and support issues, spousal support, and assistance in virtually every subject
necessary to lead to a complete agreement and uncontested divorce. Instead of airing these personal and often painful subjects
in a the courtroom, you deal with them in the privacy and confidential setting of the mediators office. The costs are significantly
less than fighting it out with opposing divorce attorneys. Most importantly, the process helps the parties avoid destructive
conflicts, which impact upon children of the marriage. It enables you to get on with your life.
Though many divorce
attorneys are now engaging in this field, trained mediators often come from mental health, accounting and other professional
backgrounds. They receive special training in skills necessary to help parties avoid contested divorces. Of course, courtroom
battles remain the exclusive domain of the divorce lawyer, and if you cannot reach agreement with a mediator, a divorce lawyer
will advise you.
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