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Divorce mediation is a process that helps couples negotiate and come to an agreement outside of court. While this often benefits the couple themselves, mediation can also have benefits for their children. In fact, research has shown that mediation may lead to better outcomes for children in regard to co-parenting relationships. The Virga Law Firm, P.A. can help explore some of those benefits in more detail.
What is Involved in Mediation?
As previously mentioned, mediation is a process geared towards helping spouses reach resolutions in their divorce. It involves the couple having discussions with a neutral third party, who assists in identifying the issues that need resolving and providing insight into possible solutions. The neutral third party is known as the mediator, and cannot force an agreement or take sides. By helping the couple reach a mutually beneficial agreement, they can potentially leave more satisfied with the outcome of their divorce.
How Does Mediation Benefit Parents?
If divorcing parents decide to go through mediation, they can benefit from the process greatly.
Saving Time and Costs
Divorce has the potential to turn into a costly process. This is especially true if a case has to go to court. This is because the couple will also incur court fees in addition to what they must pay to their legal counsel. Furthermore, a divorce that ends up in court will ultimately take longer. Mediation can bring results in a more cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
More Flexibility
Another benefit of mediation is that it is a more flexible process. In the courtroom, each case is one of many that the courts have to handle and schedules are demanding. Mediation allows a couple to have a more personalized approach, creating a session schedule that works best for them and the mediator.
Maintaining Privacy
What happens in court becomes public information. For many, the idea of their divorce proceedings happening on such a stage may add additional stress. However, mediation can allow couples to navigate and negotiate in a private setting of their choosing. Any disclosed information remains protected.
Long-Term Agreements
Studies have shown that parents who opt for mediation when discussing parenting agreements actually are more likely to stay involved with their children. This is largely due to the fact that mediation encourages collaborative conversations and working together as parents. This demonstrates that when individuals mediate the outcomes of their divorce, they are often more satisfied with those arrangements in the long term.
How Does Mediation Benefit Children?
It is apparent that meditation has a plethora of benefits for parents; however, the process provides unique benefits for children as well.
Less Stress
While it is true that parents will have less stress by going through mediation, the same goes for children. Divorce is already difficult enough for them to process and understand, and litigation can exacerbate this. By going through a more collaborative process, children will subsequently experience less stress and understand that their parents still will work together to raise them.
Meeting Their Needs
It is important to leave mediation with a parenting agreement that works for all parties involved. During mediation, it is possible to take specific factors regarding the unique circumstances and work towards an agreement that meets the needs of the children. With an agreement tailored to them, they will be able to process the divorce with more ease.
Learning Skills
During mediation, co-parents will ultimately gain skills that they can utilize after the divorce is finalized. For example, negotiation, collaboration, and patience are all qualities that are necessary for successful mediation. These traits will prove useful when working with a co-parent after divorce. Furthermore, children can also learn these same traits from their parents. They can model positive problem-solving skills from their parents.
Attorneys Prepared for Mediation
When wanting to utilize mediation for divorce, it is important to have a team that understands the process. At The Virga Law Firm, P.A. we are familiar with mediation and are firm supporters of reaching resolutions amicably.
Do you think mediation is right for your case? Contact the team at The Virga Law Firm, P.A. at (800) 822-5170.