How the divorce mediation process works

 Posted on May 29, 2020 in Uncategorized

You and your spouse have decided to call it quits, and you could not feel more relieved. You want to get on with your own life as quickly as possible. But you are worried that the process of going to divorce court will slow you down and give you an unwanted headache to boot.

The good news? You do not have to go to trial to complete the divorce process in Texas. Instead, you can go through the more amicable divorce mediation process. Here is a rundown on how the mediation process works from start to finish.

First steps

If you and your future ex-spouse decide to go through divorce mediation, you will work with a mediator to resolve your major divorce issues. The mediator's role is not to determine which party is wrong or right. Rather, he or she will help you both to arrive at a solution that works for you both.

At the beginning of the mediation process, both you, your future ex and the mediator will meet to establish ground rules. Then, you and the other party can clarify perceptions and identify issues through opening statements. Afterward, you can start discussing your divorce issues, with the mediator passing demands and offers between you both.

Next steps

Your goal with divorce mediation is to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. If you cannot settle the case the first time around, your mediator will most likely encourage you to take part in yet another session. If you end up reaching an agreement this time, you will then capture this agreement in writing. The contract will be enforceable just like any other legal written contract is.

Your rights during the divorce mediation process

As you proceed through the divorce mediation process, you have the right to seek the most personally favorable outcome possible in several areas. These areas may range from property division to child custody, child support and even spousal maintenance.

The benefit of mediation versus traditional divorce litigation is that it is a cost-effective option, as you do not need a lawyer to complete the process. In addition, the process is usually less stressful, unlike litigation. Finally, because the result of mediation is a mutually beneficial customized agreement, you can retain a sense of control during your divorce proceeding.