Divorces are a difficult situation for all parties involved. However, if you can keep things somewhat amiable and work through your problems without litigation, it can save you a lot of hassle.
In these situations, you may want to turn to mediation instead. But what exactly do mediators do?
What is mediation?
Forbes talks about ways to avoid the court when dealing with divorces, and mediation makes the list. Mediation is one of the most popular alternative methods to divorce, and it saves the people involved time, money and privacy.
In its most basic form, mediation allows for couples to work together with a neutral third party – the mediator – in order to talk through their most prominent issues. This can include everything from disagreements about child or spousal support payments to issues with asset division and more.
The role of a mediator
A mediator holds a lot of value due to the fact that they offer unique perspectives that you and your partner cannot muster due to being directly involved in the divorce itself. They can offer opinions and advice, and you and your partner can decide together what to take and what to discard.
Mediators also have some training in de-escalation and argument management, which means they can step in if things start getting too heated and bring everyone back down. They also ensure that everyone gets an equal share in what they say, and that no one feels spoken over or speaks over anyone else.
A couple that can largely work out their issues on their own would benefit from mediators, just as couples with a little more to argue about. They are a suitable option for many people.