Planning on Divorce? Consider Mediation

The decision by you or your spouse to divorce is the first of many difficult decisions you will face in navigating your future. Decisions will have to be made in areas that often include deciding on each party’s financial rights and obligations, the division of assets, parenting schedules, and even a plan for future communication. If you and your spouse are both on the same page on many of these issues or are willing to work together to resolve issues without otherwise unnecessary costs, mediation, rather than litigation, may be the best option to obtain the divorce. 

The Difference Between Mediation and Litigation

Litigation occurs when a divorcing couple cannot agree on the terms of their separation, and so instead go to court and seek to have a judge resolve their differences. Mediation, on the other hand, takes place when both parties are willing to cooperate to discuss the terms of the settlement, consider what specific provisions may work best for their family, and address all issues as needed. The divorce mediator assists the couple in communicating and exploring options to create a mutually beneficial agreement. 

How to Determine if Mediation Is Right for You

You and your spouse are willing to cooperate to come to an agreement.  

You do not wish to drag out the divorce process, preferring instead to close this chapter of your life sooner rather than later.  

You prefer smaller legal fees, understanding that litigation often helps pay for the college education of your lawyers’ children, rather than being available for you and your children.

You want more control over the outcome rather than abdicating that opportunity to a judge who handles dozens of divorce matters and has limited time to learn what is best for you and your family. 

If this sounds appealing to you, then mediation can be a great option to guide you through your divorce. 

How to Choose a Divorce Mediator

If you have decided that mediation is right for you, the next step is to find a qualified mediator. The person you choose will play an important role in helping to guide you and your spouse through the divorce process. When deciding whether a mediator is right for you, it is our strong opinion that the best mediators for a divorce practice solely in the area of divorce law, have undergone not only the necessary mediation training but continue to learn and grow as a mediator, and have been successfully mediating divorce for years.   

Looking for a Qualified Mediator in Long Island?

We have several qualified, trained mediators at our firm including Jacqueline M. Caputo, Esq. Jackie is an experienced matrimonial attorney who has been concentrating her practice primarily on mediation and collaborative law since joining Joseph Law Group, P.C. As she is an attorney, she is highly qualified to handle the entire divorce process for you, from the mediation sessions to drafting the agreement, after which our office can prepare and file the agreement and additional required documents to obtain the divorce. To determine if your situation is one our firm would handle, please give us a call at 516-542-2000.