Family Law In Kansas City: Why Mediation?

A family law in Kansas City mediator is able to explain the reasons why so many couples choose mediation to resolve their divorce. Being able to settle a case with the aid of a skilled mediator can reduce the significant financial and emotional costs often associated with traditional litigation.

The role of the mediator is to help the parties communicate and explore options which can lead to settlement. The mediator does not tell the parties how to settle their case, only simply assists them in discussing ways in which they can solve their dispute on their own terms. This is accomplished in a controlled environment in which both parties can feel safe in expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Another reason to pursue mediation, is that is creates less trauma for the children involved. Most children who remember their parents’ divorce through the litigation process will often express some level of trauma associated with it. By allowing each parent to experience success and learn how to communicate and cooperate on issues that affect their children, the mediation process teaches children a healthy way to resolve conflict with less trauma inflicted upon them.

A skilled family law mediator has many tools available to him to help the parties explore solutions which may not have occurred to them, and end up being the best solutions in the end. By allowing parties to communicate freely and openly in a safe environment, the mediator can improve each party’s understanding of the other party’s perspective.

A divorce mediator knows the financial burden that traditional litigation costs, and will agree that mediation has significant cost savings compared with litigation. The average cost of a contested divorce ranges between $7,500-$30,000 or more per spouse (not including the trial), but in contrast, the average cost of mediation for a divorce is significantly less. There is no wrong time for mediation to begin, and it is always preferable to the alternative to spending thousands of dollars on attorney’s fees in the hope that the judge might see things your way.

But as long as a couple is willing to try mediation, an experienced divorce mediator can often bring the parties to a solid agreement. I have seen firsthand how challenging the divorce process can be for most people, but it does not need to be a fight. Mediation can help people to craft divorce agreements that are a better fit for them in both the short and long terms, addressing your unique family needs.

I’ve been practicing family law in Kansas City for more than 40 years, and have spent my career working to improve my skills as a mediator, and am committed to helping people through mediation to build a better future for themselves. If you are in the Kansas City Metro area, Contact me, Hugh O’Donnell, to schedule a consultation, or feel free to call at (816) 533-5152 with any questions you have regarding mediation.