What You Need To Know About Mediation

Law Blog

If you are going through a divorce, you are probably wondering how you can make it as easy and stress-free as possible. One of the best ways to simplify and lower the cost of divorce is to try mediation. Here are a couple things you need to know about mediation.

What is mediation?

Mediation is when the divorcing couple uses one lawyer to settle the whole divorce. Each spouse will not hire his or her own lawyer. Instead, one attorney will act as a mediator. This means that you and your spouse will need to decide everything before you meet with the lawyer. If you have disputes, the lawyer cannot advise either of you, since they do not represent either person individually.

Mediation usually takes place in the office of the attorney. If need be, they will have each spouse in separate rooms and they will walk back and forth to get all the arrangements. If you and your spouse can be in the same room during the mediation, that is great; if not, they can separate you.

Why does mediation save money?

Some of the most costly aspects of a divorce are the legal fees. If both spouses hire their own lawyer, they will have to pay double the amount in fees. Second, mediation usually is a faster process. Because the couple is able to agree on many of the terms themselves, they do not drag out the process. Since attorneys work by the hour, the less time you use, the more money you will save.

Lastly, if the couple is not fighting to hurt each other and instead is trying to be fair, the agreement will be favorable to both parties. This means both parties will get a fair settlement.

Why does mediation save time?

Filing for a divorce doesn't take that long. In most states it only takes a couple months to file and get everything finalized. The thing that drags out the process is all the disputes. When a couple cannot agree on money, custody, pensions, retirement etc., they prolong the process.

With mediation you can try to resolve the whole agreement in one setting. If you are properly prepared you can work out the terms of the contract, then the lawyer will file the paperwork. This means you could have your divorce over with very quickly.

These are just some of the reasons that divorcing couples choose mediation services, like those offered by Mitchell Mediation Service

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22 November 2014