Avoid Pitfalls during a Divorce Mediation

According to statistics, about 1 out of every 2 marriages will end in divorce. With half of marriages moving towards a divorce, many divorcing couples will find themselves stuck in mediation. The process can be scary if you do not know what to expect. Mediation is an important part of the divorce. You want to make sure you walk away with everything you are entitled to. Typically, you only get one chance at mediation before it will head to court so you want to do everything you can to get it right. In order to do this, you want to avoid these pitfalls:

Don't Try to Win

During the mediation process, you want to be careful about not trying to win. This is not a competition and it shouldn't be treated like one. You want to be able to compromise or else the mediation won't go as well. If you start to look at it as you getting it all, then the other party will not be willing to listen to your wants. Put everything in context. You may want the piano, but if you don't know how to play it or don't have time to, it is not going to matter if you keep it or they keep it. Don't let the small things deter you from a successful mediation. 

Be Open Minded

If you can settle outside of court, you want to. Heading to court to finalize a divorce can be very expensive. The average total cost of a divorce is $15,500. You can avoid paying thousands of dollars in court fees and lawyer fees by settling through mediation. Showing that you are listening to their points and trying to be respectful can go a long way during mediation. Everyone wants to feel like they are walking away with something. Don't be afraid to give in a little so that you get what you need. 

Value Your Assets

Before you even go into mediation, you need to do your financial homework. Splitting everything 50/50 can sound like a reasonable offer, but you need to consider how much value these items will have in the long run. Many couples will trade a spouse's pension for a home. While this may seem equal at the time, the pension can later be worth much more than the home. You want to make sure you are taking into account the value of the items now and later when negotiating so you don't get the raw end of the deal. For assistance, talk to a professional like Mitchell Mediation Service.