What to consider before going to mediation

When a couple chooses to get a divorce, mediation may be a civilized method of accomplishing that goal. This may be especially useful for California residents who have children. However, it may be a good idea for anyone considering mediation to learn more about what this process entails. Doing so many increase the odds that mediation meets a person’s needs in a family law matter.

Individuals are urged to prepare emotionally for mediation as they may feel sad, angry or frustrated about their current situation. Mediation may also present an opportunity to speak openly for the first time in years, which could increase the chances of a person getting emotional. It is important to have specific facts and numbers if the issue is related to property or other financial matters. For instance, it may be worthwhile to know exactly how much each party made in a given year or how much an item was appraised for.

Those who go through mediation should be ready for a variety of outcomes. In some cases, each person has a different goal in mind when opting to negotiate a settlement. Ideally, matters will be resolved in a way that meets the needs of both parties. This means that an individual should have a spectrum upon which to judge a successful negotiation.

It doesn’t necessarily take a judge to decide some or all family legal issues a person may be facing. In some cases, talking with a neutral third-party is all that is needed to settle a divorce or other family issues in a timely and favorable manner. Even if a person chooses to go through the mediation process, it may be a good idea to have a family law attorney review any agreement that is reached.