When to Consider Collaborative Mediation in a Divorce

Divorce can be a hardship in life that many couples face, even when they have tried to pursue every advantage to stay married. Sometimes two people can love each other but just cannot live with each other. This happens a lot in life and many couples end their marriage as best friends while others end their marriage in what seems like a hail of gunfire. So, if you are ending your marriage- is collaborative mediation right for you?

Considering Collaborative Mediation

Often, by the time a couple divorces, despite counseling and therapies, many couples just cannot find the one thing needed in all relationships: communication. This is where collaborative divorce mediation comes into play for couples thinking about divorce or who are already in the midst of one. Divorce mediation involves working with an impartial third party who meets with the couple to help them arrive at a mutual agreement on the terms of their separation.

During a divorce mediation session, several different things are discussed such as:

Debt Allocation
Property Distribution
Child Support
Parenting Arrangements
Alimony
Tax Considerations

Divorce mediation becomes binding once all outstanding issues have been resolved and an agreement has been drawn up. Both parties have to sign the agreement and then it becomes a legal binding contract which is accepted by courts just in case a couple wishes to finalize their divorce at a later date.

Collaborative divorce mediation is a very hard thing to go through. Divorce is emotionally painful and a person’s life can be completely uprooted. Although those who help assist in a divorce mediation realize how hard a divorce can be, they are not trained to be therapists or to be judgmental. Instead they are there to help get to the bottom of what a woman wants out the divorce and what a man wants from it.

This means divorce mediation is perfect for a couple who needs a divorce and who don't want to go through the courts but who cannot talk to each other without arguing with one another. Since tensions are high due to the pain that arises from a failed marriage, this happens to many couples.

Getting Help

If you do opt for collaborative divorce mediation, make sure you work with an experienced attorney who understands the process and who can help act as your advocate. Your lawyer can protect your rights and help you remain unemotional and clear-thinking throughout the process.

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