Going through a divorce is tough on parents and is often even more challenging for their children. Even a collaborative divorce that is settled through mediation can cause stress and strife.
Because of this, being prepared for child custody mediation meetings is essential. Here are some ideas to think about.
What is the goal of mediation for child custody?
Going to mediation for child custody is beneficial because parents can work out an arrangement with a third-party providing advice regarding their children. During mediation, parents can discuss things like shared custody, co-parenting and other topics that relate to their situation.
The biggest benefit of this process is that parents get to create a plan that works for them, rather than having the court set the rules and requirements.
To ensure the mediation process goes smoothly, you can prepare with these tips.
Keep your child’s best interests in mind
When two people divorce, there may be hurt feelings involved. While this is true, it shouldn’t impact a child’s ability to see and spend time with both parents. In most cases, this is what is in their best interest. When going to mediation for child custody, go with an open mind and try to keep bad or hurt feelings out of the discussion.
Know what you want
If you can present a plan of what works for you at mediation, you have a starting point. You can even provide these documents to your lawyer ahead of time so they can give them to the other party and get their input. This puts you in the perfect position to make the most of mediation and begin negotiating terms immediately.
Ensuring a peaceful child custody mediation
Hurt feelings and emotions are part of a divorce, especially when children are involved. While this is true, mediation can help you resolve disagreements and keep things peaceful, which is beneficial for you and your children.