Besides being a quicker and cost-effective alternative to settling a divorce, mediation has more benefits than meets the eye. Among them, and perhaps the most important is the effect on the children.
In a contested divorce, children often find themselves in the middle of a situation they don’t understand, yet it involves the people they are closest to – their parents. Therefore, any conflict is bound to rub off on the children and end up affecting their well-being during their most critical stage of growth.
How can mediation help?
Mediation involves finding common ground on crucial aspects of the divorce, such as child custody, support, alimony, and property division. If you can sit down with your spouse and agree on how to go about everything, it will save your children a lot of emotional and psychological trauma caused by the conflict between parents.
Additionally, it will help you and the children ease into a new phase of life after divorce since you control how things will go, unlike in a situation where you have to abide by sometimes drastic or ill-fitting court orders.
Parenting will also be a smooth affair with mediation because it’s based on a consensus between the parents. Your children will have it much easier if both parents agree to work together. Lastly, mediation will also provide a conducive environment for either parent to bring up and resolve any issues that may arise as you co-parent.
Are you considering mediation?
Your children are better off without the bad blood and feuds associated with a contested divorce, and mediation can help you achieve that.
However, to reap the benefits of mediation, you should look out for your interests during the entire process and ensure you get what you deserve from the divorce.
