Compromise and Concession are Necessary for Successful Mediation

One of the most difficult parts of the divorce process for people to come to terms with is the fact that they will have to compromise and make concessions at some point in the negotiations. It is extremely rare that a person gets everything they want in a divorce agreement.

Therefore, it is critical for you to spend some time before your mediation sessions thinking about which items and issues are your top priorities and which issues are spots where you are more open to potential compromise.

Good mediators help make compromise possible

Part of the job of your mediator is to sense areas where there is the potential for compromise and to facilitate discussions that lead to compromise in those spots.

Ideally you will find win-win arrangements, in which both you and your spouse have some degree of benefit. For example, if you will get the house, you might choose to offer your spouse some moving expenses and the security deposit on a new apartment. This sort of give-and-take is crucial to successful mediation and negotiation.

You should also mentally prepare yourself for having to make some concessions you would rather not. You might need to pay alimony or give up some of your retirement funds. So long as you are not the only one making these types of concessions, mediation can still be an effective tool to keep the issues of your divorce in your hands. A good mediator will be cognizant of the balance of these compromises and concessions and strive for equity at all times.

Want more tips about how you can reach reasonable compromises in mediation? Contact an experienced Long Island divorce lawyer at Solutions Divorce Mediation.