There are many different professionals who assist Connecticut couples that are navigating divorce. Often, each spouse hires their own attorney to represent them in family court and negotiations. They may also rely on the assistance of a judge when they cannot settle matters between themselves before going to court.
Sometimes, divorcing spouses work with other professionals in between when they first file for divorce and when they go to court. They may seek outside help because they want to pursue an uncontested divorce and need to settle certain disagreements.
Mediators can play an important role in a Connecticut divorce. What can a mediator do to assist a married couple preparing for divorce?
Mediators help facilitate compromise between spouses
A mediator is a trained professional who understands the law and also negotiation tactics. Their job is to facilitate negotiations in which spouses seek to compromise with each other and resolve the disputes that they have yet to settle.
Mediators hear from both spouses to understand the situation. They may then guide conversations between the spouses or even shuttle back and forth between them to facilitate an amicable settlement. Mediators are neutral, meaning they should not give preferential consideration to either spouse. They hear from both spouses and help them communicate about their expectations.
A mediator also has an obligation to maintain confidentiality. Anything disclosed to a mediator during mediation sessions remains private. If the spouses exceed in negotiating a settlement, they sign a binding agreement at the end of the mediation process. That agreement is the only record of the mediation session that is relevant during court proceedings later.
If the spouses do not reach an agreement, they may go on to litigate. The mediator typically does not play any role in future litigation, as they cannot disclose the private conversations that occurred during the mediation process.
When it is successful, mediation can help couples limit the level of conflict in their divorces. Successful mediation can also reduce the overall cost involved by minimizing the court time required to finalize a divorce. Learning more about divorce mediation can help those preparing for the end of a marriage. Mediation is one potential solution for spouses who don’t yet agree on the terms of their divorce.