Let’s face it, the pain and stress involved in the process of divorce are normally overwhelming. Nobody going through a divorce process would hesitate to go for a less stressful option. In recent times, mediation divorce has proven to be an excellent option, especially in cases where children are involved. With a skilled mediator, the task of ensuring that a couple peacefully separates is made simple and attainable. Keep in mind that divorce is usually the last option for a couple having problems with their relationship. Critical aspects of child custody, financial contribution, and division of assets are exhaustively looked into and addressed amicably.
Stages involved in divorce mediation
Considering the complex nature of divorce cases, divorce mediators take their time to handle divorce cases presented before them carefully and progressively. Their main aim is to offer a long-lasting solution by addressing pertinent matters that complicate divorce arrangements. Here are the stages involved in the process of divorce mediation;
Introductory stage
At this stage, the mediator will endeavor to establish the genesis of your separation by asking a wide range of questions and urging the two of you to be as honest as possible. Whether a mediation process will succeed or not will largely depend on the amount of information that the mediator gathers from the onset. It, therefore, means that as a couple who has resorted to staying apart, giving accurate information about your predicament is going to set the ground for a more practical approach.
Information gathering
This stage is characterized by sourcing all relevant data that might be useful in determining your case. A divorce mediator will, at this stage, endeavor to enlighten you and your spouse on how the law would apply to your case. They would also call upon you to present copies of sensitive documents such as tax returns, mortgage statements, and insurance policy numbers for transparency purposes. Once both of you feel comfortable concerning relevant information, the mediator will go to the third stage.
Framing stage
Here, the mediator will try to align the entire mediation process with your interests and goals as far as critical elements of divorce are concerned. The framing stage is crucial because it helps the mediator come up with the mediation procedure’s general objective, hence saving on time and financial resources. Depending on which approach works best for you, the mediator will choose to have separate sessions to help frame your interests and goals, or a joint session would be adopted.
Negotiating stage
Once the mediator has helped you and your spouse frame your goals and objectives clearly, they will begin to work on a suitable settlement approach that considers both of your interests. It begins with presenting possible options and narrows them to only those that both partners unanimously embrace. At this stage, both partners are encouraged to compromise to avoid zero-sum bargaining characterized by time wastage.
Concluding stage
Here, the mediator prepares a tentative settlement agreement and presents a copy to each one of you; this allows both of you to consult with your advisers before agreeing to anything. If there is nothing worth rectifying, the mediator will go ahead to come up with a memorandum that outlines your settlement. After both of you have signed the memorandum, this process can well be termed as finished, since details of the memorandum can be used as the basis for preparing the formal settlement agreement that will be taken to court.
Suppose you are struggling with your relationship and feel that you are better off on your own. It’s advisable to discuss with your spouse the possibility of a peaceful divorce as a way of separating for your good and that of your family. Remember that factors that precipitate divorce, like violence and infidelity, put the life of one or both partners at risk, hence demanding quick intervention. Mediation and divorce are the best way to go.