When a marriage comes to an end, the entire family may be influenced negatively. While it is seldom the intention of the parents, their fighting may cause unnecessary stress with which the children may find difficult to cope. Texas couples considering divorce may find it beneficial to investigate the possibility of mediation, even if they have no children.
The main aim of an impartial mediator is to assist the parties in reaching a peaceful solution to the issues they cannot agree upon, albeit the division of property or child custody. By involving a mediator, long, drawn-out battles can be avoided. A mediated divorce can be over much sooner than a litigated one, but it is also not an instant fix. If both the parties are committed to cooperate, mediation can turn divorce into a simple process.
While each individual mediator has his or her own style of working, there are certain steps they may include. In most cases, the first step will be for the mediator to make both parties aware of the processes, certain guidelines and what the ground rules are. A first session can be seen as setting a neutral platform where the parties can openly discuss why they have elected mediation and what their expectations are.
Mediation sessions may take place jointly or individually. During joint sessions, a peaceful atmosphere is created within which both parties feel free to express themselves in terms of their needs, ideas and concerns. On the other hand, individual sessions allow each spouse the privacy to share sensitive matters related to the divorce, emotional elements and even domestic abuse.
After the initial meeting, guidance will be provided to come to an agreement about contentious issues, such as division of financial assets and liabilities, child custody and support matters, and the division of property. During a consultation with a divorce lawyer, it may be beneficial to ask about the possibility of mediation. A Texas lawyer is ideally situated to advise on the suitability of mediation after considering all the facts provided.
