Family Law MediationDivorce Mediation is Confidential
One of the most important reasons to mediate is that the entire process is confidential. The mediator’s lips are sealed, by law. If mediation fails, and you go to court, the judge can be told nothing about it except that the mediation was not successful. If you do go to court, your life will be laid out for all to see.
There is a permanent record of the testimony in the case. If you want to avoid a public spectacle, mediation will keep your privacy. If you attend mediation, and a marital settlement agreement is signed by you and your spouse, the judge will not need the details about how that agreement came about.
Family Law Mediation is Less Stressful
Divorce, no matter how civil some spouses may try to make it, is, hands down, one of the top stressors in a person’s life. The stress is much worse if you go to court because you have no control over the case. Zero power. Little to no say in what you want.
Your spouse’s attorney is obligated to do what is best for your spouse even if that would hurt you. One of the benefits of mediation is that you know what will happen and when it will take place. You know that you will be treated with respect by a professional mediator. Your stress levels are majorly reduced in mediation vs. court.
You Decide, Not the Court
If you go to court, you are at the mercy of a stranger you’ve never met, dressed in a black robe—the judge. This is not to say that the judge will attempt to treat anyone unfairly, but the judge will make decisions under your state's law law for you because you and your spouse could not agree between yourselves. Argh.
The Judge Will Decide
- How your property will be divided.
- Whether one spouse will pay the other spouse maintenance after divorce.
- If there are children, the judge will decide who will have custody.
- What the visitation schedule will be.
- The set up for child support.
If you first go to mediation of either kind, you’re totally in the driver’s seat. You have the power to decide your future and that of your children. On the contrary, going to court is like playing the slots in Vegas. Risky.
Are you brave enough to take control of your future?
