Divorce can be a big, daunting animal. The legalities are overwhelming and the rules are many, plus the emotional and mental drain of the experience. As a result, many divorcing couples are drawn to mediation. They believe the process of divorce mediation in Michigan might let them resolve their arguments quickly and easily and avoid the conventional court process. While mediation works for some people, it isn’t the right answer for every pair.
Can You Get Along with Your Ex?
Couples divorce for many reasons, and the main impetus behind the divorce obviously impacts whether the split will be amicable or not. For example, a couple that has grown apart because of a now empty nest may approach divorce differently than a couple who have both been unfaithful.
If you are not interested in making life easy for each other, mediation could help you learn how to work together – or it could be the absolute worst thing you could possibly try.
Here are some signs that mediation could work for your divorce:
- Your desire to divorce is mutual.
- You work well together, even when you disagree.
- You can be fair and diplomatic.
- You have a complete understanding of your shared finances.
- There is still a sense of trust between the two of you.
If you are already at odds with your ex or if one of you has repeatedly lied in the relationship, mediation could be much more difficult to make work.
Can You Abide by Someone Else’s Suggestions?
A mediator is an impartial third party. They have no vested interest in a marriage and its dissolution. They are invested, however, in helping a divorcing couple come to their own solutions about how to break down their union, divvy up their finances, and even work out parenting time.
A mediator is a valuable professional who can help couples make difficult decisions, and potentially save them from unnecessary legal fees. However, it’s essential that you respect a mediator’s position, their role, and how they can help you. If one or both of you is argumentative and unyielding in all ways, mediation may not be the best road to divorce.
The Role of a Mediator
If you do think that a mediator can help you reach an amicable divorce, that’s great. Now it’s important to consider the capabilities of a mediator to determine if they’re the right resource in general.
A mediator cannot take the place of a divorce lawyer. Even if the mediator is an attorney or once practiced divorce law, they are not allowed to provide legal advice. Divorce is a legally binding contract, so you still need the assistance of a Michigan divorce lawyer along the way.
Some divorce lawyers appreciate when clients use mediation – it can save some people money and save the lawyer time. A mediator, in some situations, can help a divorce be completed more quickly.
Mediation does involve plenty of back-and-forth and face-to-face meetings with your ex to come to decisions about every matter. If you can’t imagine that much interaction with your partner, you can save yourself from the emotional hurdle of mediation and opt for the legal process of divorce only.
If you’re considering divorce mediation in Michigan, talk to a divorce lawyer first to determine what’s best for your split. Schedule your initial consultation with the divorce lawyers at Michigan Divorce Help in Macomb. Contact us today.