There’s nothing simple about divorce, but there are things you can do to ease the tension, speed up the process and prevent the exacerbation of already bad feelings between you and your ex-spouse.
Mediation is often the best path toward a mutually acceptable divorce agreement. To make the most of this process, you must set goals to guide you. These can include but are not limited to:
- Creating an equitable divorce agreement
- Minimizing hostility
- Avoiding the time associated with litigation
- Avoiding the cost associated with litigation
With these goals guiding you, it’s easier to stay the course from start to finish.
What are the advantages?
Mediation is often preferred over litigation for one primary reason: You and the other individual maintain full control over the process.
While a mediator is available to answer questions and improve communication, they don’t have the same power as a family law judge. While a judge can make final decisions regarding your divorce case, a mediator doesn’t have this ability.
Another big advantage of mediation is that helps protect children from the pain and stress typically associated with divorce and parental conflict. Since you’re in charge of creating your own agreement, you can take steps to protect your children.
Is it the right choice for you?
Even though mediation has many benefits when compared to litigation, it’s not the right choice for every divorcing couple.
For example, if the other individual is uninterested in negotiating and compromising, mediation won’t work. You’ll simply talk in circles, never making much progress.
Try to reach an agreement
Since you’re likely to resolve your issues through mediation before litigation, it’s best to do whatever you can to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Don’t go into the process with the idea of being difficult. Instead, take the approach that you want to work things out.
If you’re able to reach an agreement, work with your legal team to review the details. This ensures that you understand the terms and conditions, thus giving you peace of mind as you bring an end to the process.
Read our past blog posts for more information on divorce mediation in Texas, including steps for getting started and answers to frequently asked questions.