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An Alternative Method of Resolving Disputes
When looking into divorce, your first thought may be to go through the traditional methods of resolving the issues present and attending multiple court hearings over time. What if there was a different way of resolving issues, though? What if you could come to an agreement on all issues related to your divorce, including those that can be filled with high emotion, and have the agreement work for both you and your spouse?
Mediation is an alternative method of resolving important issues, including those present in divorce. Here are some of the key basics of divorce mediation.
Mediation Defined
Mediation is a means of resolving issues that involves a neutral third-party presiding over discussions and facilitating conversation to help two disputing parties come to an agreement on their differences. This method of dispute resolution has been used in numerous capacities and is becoming more popular to use in settling divorce issues.
The Neutral Third-Party
At the heart of mediation is your mediator. A mediator is usually an attorney who facilitates discussion between the parties involved in the divorce, and how exactly they manage the sessions depends entirely on the mediator. A mediator could choose to let you and your spouse handle most of the conversation while they mainly keep things on course and guide your thoughts with provoking questions; other mediators may choose to maintain control over the session and allow you and your spouse to chime in with important details as needed.
One of the keys that makes mediation so successful is that the mediator who works with you and your spouse (and your attorneys) is completely objective and remains neutral throughout the process. You can trust that your mediator will not suddenly swerve their opinions or lean toward one side or the other; they work to ensure that the solution that is reached works for both parties.
An Overview of the Timeline
Mediation typically involves multiple sessions over a period of time, and that length of time is completely dependent on the issues prevalent in your divorce. Sessions themselves, along with how many sessions you need to resolve your issues, can look different depending on both the circumstances of your divorce and your mediator.
Before attending your first session, you will gather as much information as you can just as you normally would for a divorce. These documents will be helpful when it is time to work through issues such as asset division. You should also begin to think about what you want out of an agreement and what you feel you need in an agreement; it’s very possible that you and your spouse may share similar desires and, therefore, have an easier time working through those issues.
Negotiation is next, and be prepared to be open and honest with both your spouse and your mediator about what you want. As issues become resolved, your mediator can ultimately begin drafting the settlement agreement. Have your attorney review this agreement to make sure everything lines up appropriately, but once you and your spouse have an agreement, you can turn it in to the court and have it become official.
Why Choose Mediation?
Mediation allows its participants significant benefits, including the following:
Mediation can cut down on the overall length of your divorce, especially by avoiding litigation.
Because of the time saved, mediation can also end up saving you a good deal of money.
Mediation can save you a lot of stress. The settlement is ultimately your solution.
Colorado Mediation Attorneys
When you’re ready to try something different to solve the issues in your divorce, the team at Law Office of Greg Quimby, P.C. is ready to help you. We can help you and your spouse work together and come to a more peaceful solution to your divorce.
Call us at (719) 212-4227 to learn more about divorce mediation or to speak with one of our Colorado attorneys. You can also learn more by visiting our website.