Steps to Determine if Mediation is Right for You
The prospect of going through a divorce can be a bit scary and overwhelming. However, if you do decide it is the best way of moving forward and getting on with your life, you might consider using divorce mediation as your means of dispute resolution.
How do you know if divorce mediation is the right path for you to take? Here are a few steps:
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Be certain you’re ready for divorce: Mediation is not the same as couple’s counseling or therapy. If you’re sitting down with a mediator, you should be certain you’re going to get divorced. The purpose of mediation is to settle the issues of divorce, not to try to work through issues causing strain in your relationship in hopes of reconciling.
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Discuss the matter with your partner: You need to be on the same page that mediation is what you want. If one of you is unwilling to participate in mediation or is uncooperative, the sessions won’t go anywhere and you will simply waste time and money.
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Talk to your attorney: Retain an attorney to discuss your potential dispute resolution methods with them to see what their opinion is about the best way forward in your circumstances. Most attorneys will encourage mediation whenever possible because it is faster and less expensive, but they will be upfront with you if they believe it to not be in your best interest.
These are just a few of the strategies you should employ to determine if divorce mediation is right for you. For more information about how to proceed with your divorce case, contact an experienced Long Island divorce lawyer at Solutions Divorce Mediation.