High-conflict divorces are expensive and can take a significant toll on someone’s health, career and relationships. If you have decided to divorce and want to avoid a lengthy, contentious process, it may be wise to work with a New Jersey divorce mediator.
What is a mediator?
A mediator is someone who has been trained to act as a neutral third party and who assists others in resolving conflict. While some mediators may also be lawyers or mental health professionals, others are individuals from a range of backgrounds who have received specialized training in mediating disagreements and helping all parties come to fair and mutually acceptable resolutions.
What is divorce mediation?
Many people have heard divorce horror stories: These usually involve couples spending years in court (and tens of thousands of dollars) fighting over every aspect of their settlement, including property division, child custody and support payments.
To avoid this scenario, a couple may try to negotiate their divorce on their own. While this sometimes works, the same issues that caused the marriage to fail may make effective communication difficult. Mediation provides the couple with structure as they work together to separate their lives and if they have children, a way of moving forward as co-parents.
Typically, each spouse will bring their concerns and goals to the mediator who will then help the couple address each issue. Over one or more sessions, the couple may be able to craft a settlement that will be approved by the judge.
Advantages of divorce mediation
Hiring a trained mediator can diffuse conflict and can help both parties feel that they are being heard, understood and respected during a divorce. This alone can have a positive impact on the emotional state of both parties, resulting in a process that is less tense and more productive. Lowered conflict can also allow the divorce to proceed more quickly, providing the parties with closure.
Another advantage of mediation is financial savings: Couples who can mediate their divorce can save thousands of dollars in legal fees and court costs. These savings can benefit both spouses, as well as any children that they have, as they rebuild their lives.
Mediation can help you effectively navigate the end of your marriage. By opting to work through issues together with outside guidance, you may be able to minimize the negative impact of divorce.