What is a Divorce Mediation Service
Divorce mediation is a divorce process that allows couples to work out the details of their separation outside of court. It saves time and money as couples don’t have to deal with court schedules and legal fees. It also provides more control over the outcome as the couple decides how to split assets and how they will co-parent.
A professional mediator helps couples come up with an agreement that they can both agree on. They may be lawyers, CPAs, social workers or professionals with specialized training in divorce mediation. The process is confidential, private and less stressful than a divorce court battle. Couples can choose their own timeline and meet at times that are convenient for them.
During the divorce mediation session, the spouses will discuss issues such as property division, child custody, visitation and support. The mediator will advise the parties of the laws in regard to these issues but ultimately the terms will be agreed upon solely by the parties. It is important that the spouses treat the mediation sessions with a level of professionalism and keep emotions out of the equation.
Mediation is not recommended for couples who have experienced domestic violence or fear for their safety. It is best for abused spouses to seek assistance from a family law attorney and/or domestic violence advocate. Also, it is not advisable to mediate if there has been substance abuse or any criminal activity in the marriage. Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate for spouses who have suffered from domestic abuse to request that their meetings take place in safe and private locations (for example, with the mediator meeting them separately). This will allow them to focus on their personal safety rather than being concerned about how they are perceived by the other party. Divorce mediation service