When you’re going through a divorce with your ex-spouse, it can be troublesome. If you’re on bad terms, it can be hard to sit down together and work through the issues that come up. You might feel defensive, and they might be argumentative. You may simply be burned out and want to walk away from the situation.
It can be frustrating to deal with further conflicts when you really just want to separate and be done with the divorce. Fortunately, there are some alternative methods that can help you resolve conflicts and keep you out of court.
One of the methods that many couples do well with is mediation. Mediation isn’t like marriage counseling, and there is no goal to help you get back together. Instead, the mediator is there to talk to both sides about a conflict. You can be there on your own or with your attorney. The other party may come with their attorney as well.
Why choose mediation when you’re dealing with conflict?
Mediation is a good choice because it’s noncombative. The entire goal is to help you resolve conflicts and to stop further conflicts from arising.
During a mediation session, the mediator will set some ground rules. For example, they may ask that you don’t speak when the other party is speaking. They may ask that you step out of the room if you are angry or need a break, so that you can take a moment before regrouping. Overall, there is a requirement that both parties act respectfully to one another, which will help keep the discussion moving.
Another good thing about a mediation session is that the mediator can help keep you on track. If one person starts to talk about something unrelated to what you’re talking about, such as blaming you or going off topic to draw attention away from the current concern, the mediator will step in. They will refocus the discussion, which helps you move through handling the dispute faster.
Mediation is generally more cost-effective than some other options. It is also less formal, which is something that you and your estranged spouse may agree is more appropriate for your situation. If you’re interested in mediation, remember that you will both need to agree to go to the sessions and appear on time. You’ll need to be prepared to be respectful and honest, so that your divorce can continue to move forward.
