Today I would like to revisit the topic of divorce mediation and how it affects all children of divorce. Divorce mediation is simply an alternative way that couples can work their way through their divorce. It is designed to minimize conflict between the couple and facilitate amicable resolution, division and evolution of their lives, which is so important for their kids.
The quality and effectiveness of a divorce mediation process depends a great deal on the skills of the mediator. This professional should be empathic yet firm and confident enough to maintain control of the interactions between the couple. They will need a background in family law, negotiations, finances and psychology. If you can find someone who works with a team, each person specialzing in a different area, that is the ultimate. You will also want someone who focuses on what is best for your children and how you and your divorced family want to look and relate to each other 5, 10, 20 years down the road.
Because of the variety of skills that it takes to be a good divorce mediator, you will need to research the backgrounds of your mediator choices before contracting with one to handle your divorce.
After selecting a divorce mediator your next step is to set up an initial meeting. This meeting will go over the process of divorce and you will be informed about what documents and information you need to bring to the table. Questions will also be answered during this meeting and initial negotiations will begin. The number of sessions that you will need to complete will depend on your ability to come to an agreement as a divorced couple and the complexity of your divorce. Some people will be able to finish their mediations after only two or three meetings, while others will require five to ten. What is important to remember is that if the mediation process doesn’t work for you, you still maintain the right to go to court to settle the dissolution of your marriage.
Counselor-based divorce mediation is a great option for divorcing families that include both children and divorced parents. It is much better suited for focusing discussions about child custody in divorce on what is best for the kids than an attorney based divorce is.
Alex from Family Law London
December 10th, 2009 at 14:37
I often hear parents say during divorce proceedings that they want what’s best for the children. In reality though they are mostly thinking about themselves; not deliberately, they just think what’s best for them is also best for their children. Mediation is the best way of dealing with divorce and children. An agreement is always better than an argument. It’s certainly better for the child.