Benefits of Mediation
The Montgomery and Auburn, Alabama divorce lawyers of Singleton & Associates, LLC Attorneys at Law would like to discuss your divorce mediation options. We can participate throughout the mediation process by providing legal guidance and advice to our clients.
Why choose mediation?
Couples who feel they can still talk amicably about their situation may benefit greatly from choosing mediation to settle their divorce. Mediation is conducted by the spouses, their attorneys, and a neutral third party moderator, known as the “mediator.” The mediator is a trained professional who assists the spouses in reaching a mutually-acceptable end to their marriage through negotiation of their issues. Your attorney can help you find a suitable mediator in the Auburn and Montgomery areas.
How Mediation Works
Mediators don’t make decisions for the spouses. Instead, they guide negotiations, keeping discussions focused on the issues to be resolved until the spouses reach their own compromises.
All issues regarding the divorce are surfaced and worked out during scheduled negotiation sessions, resulting in a divorce agreement that is then submitted to the court for confirmation. These issues include:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Division of property
- Division of marital assets and debts
Besides meetings between the spouses, separate discussions between the mediator and each spouse may occur in order to clarify positions, ask questions, make proposals, and discuss the wisdom of offers before they are made. Any participation in mediation is wholly voluntary and the outcomes are not binding unless both parties agree to any settlements reached during the mediation process.
Benefits of Mediation over Litigation
The greatest benefit to choosing mediation is the savings of time, negative emotions, and high fees associated with resolving divorces via courtroom litigation. Most couples would prefer to control how their issues are settled, rather than trust a judge to make decisions that may or may not be in their and their children’s best interests. Mediation is an excellent way for amicable couples to resolve all issues stemming from their divorce with a minimum of acrimony, while hastening the end of their marriage so that they can get on with their new lives.
It is a good idea to retain a skilled attorney during the mediation process, so that you can prepare your side of the negotiation and receive ongoing advice on any offers or counter-offers made by your spouse. For more information on mediation in Montgomery and Auburn, or to retain one of our lawyers to assist you through the mediation process, please call Singleton & Associates at 866.604.9720, or contact us via our quick contact web form.
