Divorce Mediation Can Work For Couples With The Help Of Hugh O’Donnell
Divorce mediation is one of the most frequently used methods of negotiating a settlement. In divorce mediation, you and your spouse — or, in some cases, the two of you and your respective lawyers — hire a neutral third party, called a mediator, to meet with you in an effort to discuss and resolve the issues in your divorce.
Anyone going through a divorce should consider mediation, which can work for almost all couples and has a long list of benefits:
·Mediation is much less expensive than a court trial or a series of hearings.
·Most mediations end in a settlement of all the issues in your divorce.
·Mediation is confidential, with no public record of what goes on in your sessions.
·Mediation allows you to arrive at a resolution based on your own ideas of what is fair in your situation, rather than having a solution imposed upon you based on rigid and impersonal legal principles.
·You can still have a lawyer give you legal advice if you wish.
·You and your spouse – not the court – can control the process.
The divorce mediation process can improve communication between you and your spouse, helping you avoid future conflicts.
When negotiations begin, the mediator may suggest that you deal with simpler issues first. Answering the easier questions builds trust and encourages compromise when it comes to the more difficult issues.
Negotiating agreements isn’t always linear. You may start at what feels like the end, and you may find yourself needing to gather more information at various points. The mediator will help you to stay on track and brainstorm options, will encourage you and your spouse to express your opinions, positions, and what’s important to you, and will help you listen to each other in ways that will make a resolution more likely. (You may be able to use some of these communication tools in your ongoing parenting relationship.)
The two most important things you can do to make your divorce mediation successful are:
· to be open to compromise, and
· to really listen and try to understand your spouse’s point of view.
Family law matters such as divorce, child custody and other issues can be incredibly difficult to resolve. Everyone has their own agendas and often conflicting sets of best interests. Creating effective resolutions can often be best achieved by finding common ground rather than fighting each other.
Divorce can be a tension-filled, stressful time for the entire family. Hugh O’Donnell, who has more than 40 years of family law experience, wants to help guide you through the process and enable you to accomplish a successful transition in your life. He provides a safe, respectful space in which to negotiate your concerns.
For more information about divorce mediation, call Hugh O’Donnell at (816) 931-5533. To schedule a free initial consultation, click here.