Are you and your spouse deciding on whether or not to go to mediation?
Is your attorney recommending mediation instead of a costly court battle?
Is the court in your state requiring mediation before going in front of the judge in your divorce case?
Whatever the reason you may be choosing mediation or being required to go to mediation, do you know what to expect?
Most people have never been to mediation before.
Even if you know a little bit about the process, it can be scary and intimidating.
Whether you will be attending an in-person mediation or Zoom mediation, it is important to be prepared.
Some mediations are conducted with only a neutral mediator present as well as you and your spouse.
Other mediations may be with attorneys present and a neutral mediator being in charge of the process.
It is also important to be clear about how long the mediation is expected to last.
Some mediations are done in two-hour sessions, while others are scheduled for half or full days.
But does it work?
That depends – and it depends on many factors.
I’ve conducted many divorce and parenting plan mediations and I see so many successes, but there are some failures, and here is what can help prevent that.
What would it be like to walk into your mediation and know what to expect, feel confident and in control of your emotions, and have a plan and list of proposals?
Sounds good, but what if you’re dealing with a spouse who has a history of:
- Using intimidation to get what they want
- Blaming others for the problem – spouse, attorney, court, etc.
- Not taking responsibility for their actions
- Focusing on the past
- All-or-nothing thinking
If one of the parties in mediation has these tendencies, then we are dealing with a high-conflict personality and this creates a challenging environment for mediation.
But it is possible to reach settlement agreements even with a challenging partner.
With the guidance and support of a Pre-Mediation Coach, you will learn skills and have the tools to prepare for triggers and roadblocks you may be familiar with in your past relationship experiences.
As a New Ways for Families Licensed Provider for Pre-Mediation Coaching, I can help you go to mediation with the skills necessary to deal with the business of divorce.
Pre-mediation coaching is a skills-based program that helps you to understand everyone’s role in the mediation, how to have realistic expectations, prepare you for trouble spots, and reduce anxiety and fears.
Let’s get on a complimentary call and talk about how working on preparing you for mediation can save you time, money, your sanity, and have a successful outcome.