Are you new to the legal field? Don’t know what mediation is, or where to even start? In this post, we’ll discuss what mediation is and what you can do to successfully prepare for it.
What is Mediation?
There is a misconception that going to court and having a judge decide your case is always required in divorce. However, when court is not a necessary step in the process of divorce, mediation can be a great alternative for spouses who are on neutral or good terms with one another.
Mediation involves a third party, known as a mediator, who aids in negotiation and discussion between spouses regarding mutual agreements. Although mediators often advise spouses to consult with an attorney, attorneys are not present at the face-to-face discussions.
How Should You Prepare for Mediation?
So, how do you and your attorney prepare for mediation? Well, the best way to be prepared is to know what you’re getting into. Mediation isn’t a battle between spouses who make demands as if divorce is a fight to win. Mediation is the antithesis of this: It’s about coming to mutual agreements and reaching solutions without involving a judge and a courtroom. Knowing this will put you into the right head space needed to walk into mediation.
Within this same mindset, it’s important to understand that if you have children, their health and well-being should come first. With mediation, you have more control over both your future and your children’s future. Think about what’s best for them, not what’s best for you in the moment.
What Will My Attorney Do?
On the other side of things, your attorney will work to litigate your case while also preparing to mediate your case. This is beneficial for all parties because everybody will know what’s at stake. Attorneys also often have our expert reports prepared and ready to go, since we understand that going to trial is expensive, time consuming, and something we want to avoid.
Although mediation is often smoother of a process than divorce, it is still a stressful and sometimes frustrating ordeal. Being prepared to enter mediation and knowing that your attorney is there to help will take some of that stress off your shoulders.
Need Legal Help?
Looking for legal representation? Not sure if hiring an attorney is the right thing for you? Consider reaching out to our attorneys here at the Colorado Lawyer Team for a free 30-minute consultation. With specialties in family law and criminal law, our experienced, dedicated, and hard-working attorneys may just be the representation you need! Find more information at https://colawteam.com or call 970.670.0378.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship. It’s a blog post and not legal advice. Each case is different, and this post is meant for generalized knowledge, only. If you haven’t signed an engagement letter (or even received an engagement letter) AND issued some form of payment (peanuts do not count), then no attorney-client relationship exists. Nevertheless, we will do our best to ensure your confidentiality should you choose to contact us privately, but do not post about your case in the comments here (because reaching out for help with your case should be confidential, damn it).
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