Common Misconceptions About Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is becoming increasingly popular among divorcing couples as it is less costly, stressful and time-consuming than litigation or other more adversarial methods of divorce. However, there are still a lot of common misconceptions about the process that might make some people wary about pursuing it as an option to work through their divorce issues.

Here are just a few examples of some of these common misconceptions and the truth behind them.

“For high-conflict cases, mediation simply won’t work.”

It is true that in high-conflict cases you might find it more challenging to mediate the issues, but it’s certainly not impossible.

There are plenty of couples who do not get along who still find a way to work through their divorce issues. In fact, some aspects of mediation actually make it well suited for high-conflict parties to still find mutually agreeable solutions to their issues. Mediators are trained in conflict resolution and employ a number of communication techniques to help couples with icy relationships talk through the issues in front of them to find reasonable solutions.

Mediation may also introduce the use of other professionals, like therapists and counselors, to help facilitate the process of communication.

“You don’t need an attorney.”

It’s still very beneficial to have an attorney you can consult with in your case. Mediators, while excellent at helping guide the conversation, must remain neutral at all times and cannot give advice that would be in the interest of either party. This is where it’s helpful to have an attorney who can be your advocate. Plus, they’ll also be able to handle a lot of the legal paperwork that might otherwise be confusing.

“The mediator is here to help you make decisions.”

Mediators will never suggest a specific course of action or advocate for specific decisions. Their role is to drive the conversation forward and to help you work through roadblocks that get in the way of your communication. They keep you organized and keep emotions steady. The decisions are up to you and your spouse.

For more information about divorce mediation, we encourage you to contact an experienced family attorney at Solutions Divorce Mediation.