Photo of Professionals at Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith, P.A.
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What to do when your significant other opposes divorce mediation

On Behalf of | Dec 11, 2023 | Divorce Mediation

When married couples in New Jersey face difficulties, divorcing is sometimes the smartest option. Before finalizing a divorce, couples must decide how they want to proceed. Mediation is a great option for divorcing couples. But problems and confusion can arise when your spouse doesn’t want to participate.

Highlight mediation’s benefits

An uncooperative spouse might be against mediation simply because they haven’t taken time to understand it. In these situations, mention how divorce mediation helps couples work together for the best possible outcome. You may also let your spouse know that mediation involves a neutral party, ensuring no one feels ganged up on. Instead, mediation gives you and your spouse a place to voice their concerns equally, with a mediator helping to move things toward divorce finalization.

Enlist their help with mediator selection

Another way to convince an uncooperative spouse about mediation is to involve them in the process. Your spouse may falsely believe you’ll choose a mediator that is somehow advantageous for you. You can help quell these false beliefs by enlisting your spouse’s help in choosing a mediator. Completing this step can help your spouse see that you can still work together.

Mention the benefits for children

In many cases, divorcing couples have children together. If your soon-to-be former spouse is dragging their feet about divorce mediation, it’s worth mentioning the sake of your shared child or children. Opposing a divorce through mediation only leaves children and their parents stuck in an often stressful situation.

Most divorces aren’t without one or a few roadblocks. When a spouse opposes mediation, it only serves to lengthen the divorce process and create undue stress for all parties involved.