Divorce is a life-altering event that usually comes at a high price in terms of both emotional and financial costs. A divorce mediator is an impartial third party who assists couples in navigating their divorce once they have determined that there is no chance of reconciliation. The mediator facilitates a series of meetings in which the parties can work out the details of their divorce. Hiring a divorce mediator rather than allowing the courts to decide their fate has many advantages for couples who have decided to call it quits.
Despite the fact that a mediator is a lawyer, it is important to remember that a mediator is not a divorce lawyer or a counselor. Each party may bring their own divorce lawyer to any meetings for advice; however, divorce mediation is about both parties coming to an agreement without having to go to court with a lawyer. Couples should also refrain from seeking or receiving emotional or psychological advice from their mediator. Couples who believe they might be able to reconcile should see a marriage counselor rather than a divorce mediator.
Although the specific issues that a divorce mediator assists soon-to-be ex-spouses with may change, the mediator’s primary role as a neutral party who listens to both sides remains the same. A mediator can assist couples in reaching an agreement on property division and, in some cases, child custody arrangements. Homes and vacation homes, money, retirement accounts, cars, boats, and other toys are all examples of property divided in a divorce. The mediator will never make decisions for the couple or pass moral judgments; instead, he or she will ensure that both parties have an opportunity to speak.
Divorce mediators give couples more control over the terms of their divorce. Couples who seek divorce mediation not only avoid allowing the courts to control the situation, but they also avoid the emotional and financial trauma that a lengthy divorce can bring. Because the couple dissects each issue that needs to be resolved, it’s unlikely that either party will need to spend money fighting in court over something once the terms are agreed upon. In addition, the mediation process typically involves a few to several meetings and takes no more than 10 hours to complete. This not only saves money over hiring lawyers and having a hearing, but it also reduces the emotional abuse that frequently occurs during divorce.