Rather than navigate your divorce in court, you and your current spouse instead want to work with a neutral third party. How do you make the most of mediation?
American Bar Association offers tips for succeeding at mediation. Learn how to maximize the alternate dispute resolution’s potential and possibilities.
Focus on mutual gain
Cooperation and compromise represent two essential mediation cornerstones. When developing divorce settlement options, focus on mutual gain solutions. That way, you and your soon-to-be-former spouse have more choices to choose from.
Remember that the person does not represent the problem
Just because your marital partner does not want to pay as much alimony as you want does not make her or him a bad spouse. It only means she or he does not want to pay your alimony amount. Try not to see your current spouse as a problem to solve in mediation. Instead, focus on ways to meet your financial obligations within your soon-to-be ex-spouse’s financial means.
Use objective material to reach a mutual understanding
Maybe you have your way of calculating your shared assets’ value. Your current spouse may disagree with your methods. Rather than arguing, work with an appraiser to value your marital property. Compromising could cost money, but it may save you time and frustration.
Rely on the most favorable alternative to a negotiated agreement
For negotiated agreements, focus on the most favorable alternative. Even if that means giving up what you want, you may still receive everything you need for your post-divorce life.
You may fare better at mediation than you think. By understanding the process’s nuances, you cannot help but feel like a winner.