What is Divorce Mediation?

The Missouri Supreme Court defines divorce mediation as “a process in which a neutral third party facilitates communications between the parties to promote settlement.” Divorce mediation helps people resolve the most problematic disputes and is an especially well-suited tool for the needs of those facing family law issues. Working with an experienced mediator can help you create the most direct path for obtaining the solution you need to your divorce.

Family law matters such as divorce can be exceptionally difficult to settle. Parties on both sides are feeling a lot of emotions and have different perspectives as to a “fair” outcome. Creating effective results can often be best achieved by finding common ground rather than fighting against each other. That’s difficult for a divorcing couple to do without a skilled individual handling the conversation.  Working with someone experienced in divorce mediation can help you create the most immediate path to ensuring a resolution.

There are numerous advantages of divorce mediation. Mediation has a number of benefits over the traditional means of resolving family law issues through the courts. Some of those gains include:

· Cost and times savings
· Keeping ultimate decision-making power in your hands rather than that of a judge
· Reduced stress
· When involving children, it can help develop a pattern of cooperation that will be very beneficial as the child grows
· Protects children from excessive stress

Divorce mediation can happen whenever you choose during the divorce process, even if your case has been filed and your lawyers refer you to a mediator. During the divorce mediation process you will meet with your mediator to discuss the financial characteristics of the divorce, what expectations and needs both sides need addressed, and if there are children are involved, what the parenting plan would look like moving forward. Both parties will then negotiate an agreeable settlement, and then finalize a formal settlement agreement to be filed with the court system.

Over 40 years I have helped couples work through the most difficult of family matters. I know the good that comes from the divorce mediation method and have the experience as a mediator to be able to help you effectively work through the challenges that stand between you and the decision that will best suit your individual situation. If you are in the Kansas City area and looking for divorce mediation services, contact me, Hugh O’Donnell, today to schedule a consultation, or feel free to call me at (816) 533-5152 to discuss your divorce case in detail.