The divorce process is often a traumatizing experience for many individuals, which means mediation can be an excruciating and difficult affair. Thankfully, there are numerous steps one can take to make a divorce mediation easier and receive a better outcome. If you need assistance making settlements during a divorce, follow these four essential divorce mediation tips.
Prepare by Compiling a Thorough Checklist
When preparing for a divorce litigation meeting, it is imperative for you to compile a thorough list of everything you want to negotiate for during the mediation. This can include things such as vehicles, loans or debts, and also real estate property valuations. Gathering a complete checklist beforehand will help the mediation sessions run a lot more smoothly.
Additionally, preparing a list has other benefits as well. If you choose not to disclose salient assets prior to the mediation, it can lead to fraud. Therefore, you must always take the time to create a detailed list of your assets during the divorce litigation process.
Find a Capable Mediator
Next, you need to find a skilled mediator to assist with divorce litigation. This neutral third party isn’t on your side or your spouse’s, allowing for more impartial judgment. There are many complicated issues in the field of divorce mediation, so hiring an experienced mediator will greatly assist you throughout the process.
However, you mustn’t hire the first mediator you come across or the one with the cheapest rates; divorce mediation is an unregulated profession in the United States, so you must be careful and do your research prior to picking a mediator. Furthermore, mediators cannot give you legal advice. It is best to consult a lawyer who is familiar with family law and local and state laws pertaining to divorce litigation so you can learn the laws for how property is divided in your particular state,
Know How to Act During the Meeting
Once the divorce litigation meeting begins with your spouse, it is crucial that you don’t waste any time. This mediation is dedicated to negotiation, and any lost time will translate to lost progress. Additionally, some mediators charge an hourly rate, so the longer the meeting drags on, the more money you’ll have to spend. To ensure the meeting is productive, here are some tips on what to say and not say during divorce litigation:
- Divorce mediation is not about winning but negotiating important matters such as child support and custody. Be prepared to make compromises and offer reasonable agreements or alternatives.
- Always think before you speak. If you panic or go on unrelated tangents, you won’t make any progress. This means that the mediation isn’t a time to argue about your past relationship; focus on the present and the future.
- Don’t interrupt your spouse or the mediator during the conversation, as it will only waste more time.
- If either side doesn’t participate, it can be challenging for the mediation to be successful. Play an active role in the conversation and know how to listen carefully to your former spouse, so you negotiate an outcome that benefits both parties as best as possible.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Given how distressing a divorce can be, it is imperative that you take care of your mental well-being throughout the process. You’ll likely be making numerous life-changing decisions regarding your children and property, meaning the outcome of the settlement can leave a great impact on your life.
To ensure that you have the sound mind necessary to successfully navigate a divorce mediation, you must make an effort to overcome your stress and anxiety.
Whether you need assistance with divorce mediation in East Brunswick, NJ, or civil litigation in Bridgewater, NJ, you can rely on The Vigneault Law Firm to offer professional legal support when it comes to family law.
