How Can I Communicate Effectively With My Spouse During Mediation?
Mediation can be a great way to solve disputes in a divorce, but you need to put some effort in if you’re going to make the most out of your sessions. Our attorneys have experience mediating these sessions, so we can tell you how to be more productive and effective during mediation. Here’s what our divorce mediation attorneys near you in Morristown would suggest.
What Can I Do to Make Conversations More Productive During Mediation?
You need to be ready to talk things out during mediation sessions. This means that you should:
- Try to put old grudges aside
- Keep your emotions in check
- Avoid playing the blame game and accusing your spouse of causing problems
- Actively listen and don’t just wait for your turn to talk
- Think about how you are communicating non-verbally
- Attempt to follow the lead of the mediator
This method of dispute resolution can only work if you both try and make it work.
How Does the Mediator Help During Mediation?
A mediator’s job is to keep the conversation moving along. We don’t make decisions for you or tell you to sign an agreement. We get you and your spouse talking so that you can arrive at your own conclusions and make your own decisions.
The neutrality of the mediator and the less stressful environment can make it possible to work together instead of against each other. This can make it easier to arrive at an agreement that you both can accept.
What Are the Benefits of Successful Mediation?
When divorcing couples can communicate well during mediation sessions, they can reap a few benefits. First, this process is likely to be less expensive and less time-consuming than litigation would have been. Second, this can help you and your spouse get to a place where you can talk to each other in a cordial matter. This is critical if you need to maintain any kind of relationship after your divorce, like if you have children and need to co-parent.
When Is This an Ineffective Option?
Unfortunately, this method of dispute resolution doesn’t work for everyone. It can be difficult to make mediation sessions worthwhile if a couple cannot put aside their animosity for each other. It can also be difficult to make this work if there is a history of abuse or a major power imbalance in the relationship. Two people should be able to come into these sessions on equal footing, but sometimes things just don’t work out that way.
Talk to Our Experienced Family Attorneys
So if you think that mediation might be a good option for you and your spouse, contact Lazor Rantas, PC. We can tell you more about how to communicate during mediation sessions and what our experienced mediators can do to assist you.
