Should You Consider Mediation?: A Guide

Mediation can help families thinking of divorce to discuss their issues and resolve their settlements without the need for going to court. During mediation, both parties will have the opportunity to hold a discussion together with an unbiased third party. This third party can help to moderate the discussion, prompting and resolving issues until you come to a conclusion. If you are thinking that mediation might be the right resource for you, read on for more detailed information.

• Prevents Going to Court

Mediation can help to prevent you and your ex-partner from going to court as you will be able to discuss any issues that you and the other party has about your settlement in a calm and moderated manner. If a settlement is resolved in mediation, then, in most cases, you will not have to go to court in order to get a divorce. In fact, many divorce lawyers will suggest that you go to mediation sessions before considering a court hearing, especially if issues surrounding children or finances are present. Even if you are unable to find a solution to your issues through mediation, many courts will take your case more seriously if you have previously been to mediation, and you are more likely to get the resolution that you seek.

If you are considering going to mediation, or if mediation has not worked for you, you should contact a family lawyer who can give you advice as to the next steps of the process, help you to collect evidence, and prepare you for court should you need to go to a hearing. Grant Stephens Family Law are family law solicitors in Cardiff who hold mediation sessions which can help you to reach a settlement or create communication pathways between the two parties that can open the discussion.

• Keeps Family Relations Peaceful

Mediation sessions can also keep your family relations peaceful if you have the intention to continue contact after the divorce, for instance, to support your kids during and after the divorce, and can help you to maintain a civil relationship afterwards. This is because mediation sessions are held in a peaceful environment away from the external pressures of the outside world such as family, friends and even sources of others stress such as work, which may have affected your previous discussions.

• Better for Your Mental Health

Rather than have issues with maintaining a peaceful discussion, mediation can help you to discuss your settlement and situation is a proactive way that seeks resolution. This is, in turn, better for your mental health as it can help to solve problems in a peaceful way that reduces stress, while also helping you to find a resolution much more quickly than if you should go to court. This lessens the stress that you may feel as it shortens the burden and strain on your daily life.

• Saves Money and Time

Mediation can also save you money and time, as going to court is a costly and lengthy business that can leave you out of pocket if you fail to win the case. However, apart from the initial costs, mediation can help to save you the costs of going to court and will enable you to seek an often more generous settlement that benefits both you and the other party financially.