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The Advantages of Mediation |
Your
children will benefit
They will be the biggest winners of all. Studies have shown
that the children of divorcing parents tend lose their sense
of security when their parents continuously argue, many
times blaming themselves for the separation. Letting the
children see two adults working through their separation
through cooperation instead
of conflict helps restore their
confidence that everything will ultimately be alright.
It's confidential
Your discussions with your mediator are privileged. Any
notes, written or oral communications, and draft memoranda
would not be admissible in, nor may your mediator be
subpoenaed to appear in any court proceeding.
Additionally, any offers that you might make or receive in
mediation are also not admissible. In other words, feel
free to explore all possibilities without the fear of it
coming back to you should you reach an impasse and have to
resort to litigation. This assures that your private
matters remain private.
You are empowered and in control
You are in control of all of your decisions because, after
all, you know what is best for you. Relinquishing control
to the attorneys and a judge or jury makes you feel not only
helpless, but uneasy because you have no idea of what the
ruling may be. In mediation, there is no judge to impose
any decision upon you and you agree only to what works for
the both of you.
Statistically, fifty percent of all couples are back in
court within a year seeking a modification to a court
imposed judgment or on a contempt charge for not complying
with an order. Additionally, mediated settlements tend to
last much longer because the participants are in sole
control of their own decisions.
It works for a lot of people
Mediation is great for couples who are agreeable, but it can
offer tremendous advantages to those who are in
disagreement. A little hurt and anger can actually help the
process along because in many cases it causes the
participants to empower themselves and stand up for what
they believe. Many couples who have poor communication
skills and are in high conflict are amazed at the success
they have had at the negotiating table. Remember that your
mediator is trained in helping you settle your disputes, so
success amid anger and frustration is very common. The atmosphere is
relaxed and casual.
 It costs far less than going to court
Everyone knows that divorce robs you of your sanity. If you
litigate, it also robs you of your money. A typical
litigated divorce can cost from $10,000 to $30,000 each, can
strip you of your retirement and deprive your children of
their college education. In the end, it makes the court
decision less meaningful as there are fewer assets to award.
Having an experienced, competent mediator guiding you
through the process of effective communication and agreement
building helps you achieve your goals very productively.
Your experienced mediator will help keep you attentive to
your discussion and minimize your distractions, keeping you
both negotiating effectively and efficiently. The more
productive your discussions, the less time it takes and the
less cost to you.
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