A growing number of people are now starting to realize that there really are no winners in a high-conflict divorce. Both spouses generally lose out and when children are involved, the damage of a contentious divorce can be life-changing.
Mediation has presented itself as a popular and feasible alternative to what was formerly regarded as an adversarial process. While divorce mediation has a relatively high success rate, it relies upon successful communication between all parties. Outlined below are a few things to keep in mind.
Let go of the past
Mediation is about finding equitable solutions for all parties. This is difficult to do if couples are hung up on disagreements that they’ve had in the past. Both spouses have to be seriously committed to giving mediation a try and finding solutions that work all around. The process can be very rewarding but only if both parties are sincere in their efforts.
Exercise patience
Neither spouse should feel pressured or under attack during mediation proceedings. Discussions should remain calm and couples should have access to a break if they feel the need. By handling negotiations at a pace that suits you both, you and your former partner may actually find mediation to be quite efficient and cost-effective.
There are no guarantees in any legal process but mediation does offer a viable alternative to litigation in the courts. Before committing to the process, you may want to gather as much information as possible. Seeking legal guidance on the matter will also give you a better idea of how mediation works.