Tips For A Successful Divorce Mediation
Mediation is mandated by the Florida courts, but it can save you a lot of money in attorney’s fees as well. The reason why mediation is required is that the divorce rate is quite high and the courts would get bogged down by divorces if every divorce required a judge to make key decisions. Nonetheless, there are major benefits to mediation, so if you can make it work, you should try. In this article, the Tampa, FL divorce lawyers at The Faulkner Law Group, PLLC will discuss tips for a successful mediation.
Preparation is the key to success
When it comes to mediation, preparation is the key to success. You will want to have completed your financial disclosures prior to meeting with your attorney. Financial disclosure includes proof of income, assets, businesses, and more. Without these documents, it will be very difficult to come to any sort of agreement on pressing issues such as child support, asset distribution, and alimony. In other words, if you don’t have your financial disclosure documents prepared, mediation will be a waste of time. And when it comes to attorneys, time is money.
Mediation is about compromise
Mediation is all about compromise. You are unlikely to get everything that you want from mediation. However, your spouse won’t either. In these cases, you must be prepared to compromise on issues related to alimony, asset distribution, and child support payments. No one walks away from a mediation 100% satisfied with the outcome. The same can be said of a litigated divorce. The benefit of mediation is that you and your spouse are making all the key decisions and not a judge. You will have more control over your future in mediation than you would in litigation. Nonetheless, you should be prepared to compromise.
Managing your emotions
Divorce is a stressful process and rife with anger and disappointment. Nonetheless, you should be prepared to leave your emotions at the door. You do not want to find yourself caught in a battle with your ex-spouse unless there is a very good reason such as domestic violence. You’ll do better if you view your divorce as a business transaction as opposed to anything else. It helps to remember that your future is on the line and you’ll need to advocate for yourself in a way that makes sense.
Prepare yourself to listen
You don’t have to accept everything that your ex-spouse is saying, but listening to their arguments will help you get a better understanding of what they consider to be important. You likely have more insight into what your ex-spouse is interested in than any other person in the room. You know what motivates them. If you’re willing to listen to what they have to say, you improve your chances of negotiating a successful settlement in mediation and sparing yourself the costs of a litigated divorce.
Talk to a Tampa, FL Divorce Attorney Today
The Tampa, FL family law attorneys at Faulkner Law Group, PLLC represent the interests of those seeking a divorce in Florida. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your goals right away.
