7 Benefits of Divorce Mediation

 Posted on April 14, 2020 in Uncategorized

If you are living in Oswego, Kendall County or the Naperville area and are considering Divorce, then you may want to consider Mediation as an option. Divorce mediation is a process where a neutral mediator assists both you and your soon to be ex in coming to an agreement on a divorce settlement. It’s a process that allows divorcing spouses to stay involved with the decision-making process during their divorce rather than rely on a court. For the most part the process focuses on cooperative problem-solving and addressing the needs of both you and your soon to be ex. Here are 7 benefits of divorce mediation:

• You have increased decision-making powers over the outcome of your divorce. You and your ex choose the primary topics that you want to negotiate and settle on. Then through cooperative negotiation the two of you create a divorce agreement that aligns with the unique needs of your family. You and your ex are no longer forced to work within the strict guidelines of the litigation system which gives the court the decision making power over your final divorce agreement. As a result the two of you can create a more detailed agreement that meets the specific needs of your situation.
• Increased privacy. All the communications and documents created during divorce mediation are confidential. In contrast when you take your divorce to court everything is argued in a public setting in front of a judge, attorneys, court employees and numerous other people that may be in the court room. It is an awful feeling to have to share details about your marriage and your children to a court room full of strangers.
• Mediation is user-friendly. Often times you’ll have the option to have meetings in the evenings or on weekends. And it’s not required that you appear in person at the meetings. For example, many mediations occur via video conference. In contrast, the court may not be as flexible and you are required to adapt to the schedule and rules of the court.
• It’s easier on the children. If you go to court your children may be required to appear there. For child custody proceedings it’s not uncommon for the children to be interviewed and observed by several experts. All this is avoided if the divorce mediation process is used. And because the overall process involves less conflict the children are less exposed to the hostility between the parents.
• There is less adversity. The focus of the mediator is on the needs of both you and your spouse, not on winning or determining who is to blame. A good Mediator will work with you and your spouse to help you both stay focused on your individual needs and in turn help you come to a mutually acceptable agreement. With divorce mediation there is far more communication and far less fighting.
• It will save you money. Typically in divorce mediation one professional works with both you and your ex to help you come to agreement. And you’re only paying for the time that you’re in meetings rather than waiting around in court with two attorneys. In contrast, with divorce litigation you’re paying for a costly drafting of motion papers back and forth between attorneys and then the associated court appearances.
• It improves your chances of moving on to a new and better life. After all, the goal of the divorce is to make a positive change and move on. Mediation, because it’s less adversarial, allows both you and your ex to move on with your new lives in a more positive way and opens the door for you to forgive each other, to work well together raising your children, and to both live a great life.

Author Ron Hendrix is a Divorce attorney and mediator serving clients in Oswego, Naperville and the surrounding areas including Kendall County, Will County, DuPage County and the Chicago metro area.