How to Ensure Divorce Mediation is Productive in California
June 20, 2023There are many ways to reach a divorce settlement and file an uncontested divorce. One of them is to go through divorce mediation. This process can help both spouses determine their needs (and the needs of their children, if they have them) and get the most important ones met.
When you decide you want a divorce, there's more than one way to reach an outcome. However, some are more successful than others. Some couples file a contested divorce to let the judge determine the critical issues that they can't agree on.
Other divorcing couples have an amicable relationship and can determine the terms of the divorce without the help of any professionals or a judge. Still, others fall somewhere in between. These couples desire to file an uncontested divorce but need help agreeing on the terms. This is where mediation and California mediation lawyers come in.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a process used to successfully reach a voluntary divorce settlement in many California divorces. Mediation allows couples an opportunity to plan their futures sensibly and in an environment of cooperation, mutual trust, and respect. With the professional help of a trained and impartial divorce mediator, divorcing couples can draft an agreement that is personalized for their family, finances, and future.
Ensuring Your Divorce Mediation is Productive
Even if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse don't agree on much, you can still benefit from divorce mediation. However, there are several critical components to ensuring your mediation will be successful. You and your spouse must:
- Act in good faith and disclose all of your assets, income, bills, and debts, as well as supporting information and documents.
- Be focused less on "winning" and more on what options are available to move forward in a productive way.
- Be ready to negotiate and compromise in some areas to get what you want in other areas.
- Be willing to work together for a satisfactory resolution.
The Benefits of Divorce Mediation
Mediation is a common method used in divorce to develop solutions regarding alimony, child support, child custody, and the division of assets and debts. It offers many benefits to each spouse.
For example, divorce mediation:
- Is less stressful
- Is less emotionally taxing
- Is more affordable
- Takes less time
- Encourages a spirit of mutual cooperation from both spouses
- Improves your ability to communicate effectively both now and in the future
- Gives both spouses more control over the outcome
- Allows the couple to make better decisions for their family and future
- Is more emotionally protective of any children they have
Want to Learn More about Divorce Mediation in CA? Contact Bamieh & De Smeth Today
Divorce is never easy and often complex, but that doesn't mean there aren't effective solutions to help reach agreements on critical issues. Using a mediator to settle your divorce issues can make the process quicker, less expensive, and more effective. Contact the California divorce mediation attorneys at Bamieh & De Smeth to learn more. You can contact us online or call 805-643-5555.