Divorce Mediation Is More Popular Than Ever Before
Divorce mediation is growing in popularity among those contemplating divorce. With the help of an impartial third party who facilitates discussion and negotiations, couples avoid litigation and expensive legal fess. A mediator’s primary role is to guide the couple toward shared goals and creative options. In mediation, the couple maintains control over the outcome of their divorce. Couples are empowered and participate fully in their divorce process.
Top Ten Advantages of Divorce Mediation
- The cost of mediation is generally much less than litigating in court
- Mediation helps you arrive at resolution faster and avoid court delays
- Couples maintain control over their divorce process and outcome
- Parties make the decisions on how to divide their assets and debts, not a court
- Parents can create their own personalized parenting arrangements
- Focus is on shared goals, best interests of the family and looking toward the future
- Negotiating in a safe environment with privacy and confidentiality
- Improves relationships and communication bringing the family together
- Empowering because parties go at their own pace
- More successful co-parenting post divorce
Divorce Mediation Process
Divorce mediation involves a series of joint meetings with the parties and the divorce mediator. During the mediation sessions, the parties discuss their assets, debts, and other important financial matters. The parties disclose their bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, and debts. The parties reach an agreement on how to equitably divide their assets and debt. If children are involved, the parents will discuss custody, child support, parenting time, and education. Together the mediator and parties partner to discuss options and structure a settlement that both spouses feel is fair and equitable.
Couples Make Their Own Decisions
Divorce mediation puts both parties in charge of their divorce and settlement. Parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement rather than have a judge impose divorce settlement terms that neither party is happy about. The mediator keeps parties focused on what is most important while avoiding emotional and personal issues that can negatively impact negotiations. When a couple makes their own decisions and prepares their own settlement agreement, they are more compliant with the agreement and less likely to return to court after the divorce.
LGBTQ+ Community
For gay and lesbian couples, the dissolution of a civil union or same-sex marriage may raise a number of legal issues that require unique solutions. Mediation presents an alternative to traditional divorce litigation in a private, compassionate setting.
Schedule An Appointment
To schedule an appointment and learn more about our divorce mediation practice, call (203) 221-3100 or contact one of our family law attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. Susan Wakefield is a trained attorney mediator who has helped couples reach successful outcomes for over 30 years. Experience and Trust Matters.
If you have any questions about divorce mediation, family law mediation, or need help with a post-divorce matter, contact us at (203) 221-3100 or email JMaya@mayalaw.com or SWakefield@mayalaw.com. We service all of Connecticut including the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law matters in New York as well.