Separation and divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it can be even harder if there is recurring conflict that neither you or your partner can drop. With emotions running high, resolving family disputes can feel impossible.
However, using family mediation can massively help to improve communication and encourage respectful discussions between individuals, which can help you stay in control of your family's future.
Flexibility
Mediation is a flexible approach to resolving any issues, as individuals can prioritise which issues are the most important to them and what they want to discuss in each session. Mediation sessions are also arranged at a time and place which suits all parties involved.
This is much more beneficial to individuals who juggle busy lives with work and childcare. Unlike mediation, Court proceedings do not allow for much flexibility, meaning the parties involved don’t get a choice on when or where the hearings are conducted.
Narrow down issues
Although not every issue will be resolved, mediation can be an extremely useful way to narrow down specific issues in dispute. This can save a huge amount of time, stress and money as the issue can be continuously resolved outside of the mediation sessions.
Your family circumstances are completely individual, so it’s important you discuss and agree on aspects of family life which are most important to you and not always covered by the court process.
Mediation can be used for issues not suitable for court
During mediation sessions, individuals can openly discuss issues which matter to them. This may involve specific topics in relation to children, money, housing and pensions as well as implementing any long term agreements in relation to these issues.
These important issues can be discussed in a neutral and private setting, with the assistance of a mediator there who can help individuals put their concerns at the forefront of the conversation. The process enables you and your partner to make choices about your future and avoids imposing arrangements by the court that aren’t suitable.
Improves communication
Mediation facilitates conversations and discussions between all parties involved, and assists them in reaching proposals so they can move forward. It promotes healthy communication, which can be extremely beneficial for separated parents who are moving towards a co-parenting relationship in the future.
Speed and timescale
Individuals can progress through mediation sessions as quickly as they wish. This can speed up reaching an agreement and creating proposals quicker in comparison to court processes, in which individuals may wait many months between hearings.
If both parties can narrow down disputes at mediation, this can help to speed up the process they use to resolve outstanding issues.
Minimises the impact on children
The welfare of your children is likely to be a priority to you and your partner, but conflict between parents can have a lasting impact on children as they can get caught in a battle when emotions are high.
Family mediation works to reduce conflict for a more harmonious and less hostile environment in the home between parents. Curbing any potential conflict early on allows for greater cooperation and improved communication as you coparent.
Although you may feel like you’re alone during the mediation process, it’s worth remembering your partner will be going through the exact same wave of emotions as you. Going through mediation by yourself can be difficult, so it’s always worth having a professional family law solicitor by your side as you go through the process.
Family law solicitors will support you whilst also suiting your needs and budgets, which is especially important during stressful times such as divorce and separation.
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