Divorce Mediation - NC
Mediation is a process where two parties meet together, either with attorneys present or without attorneys present, and work together to amicably resolve their issues. Typically, a trained mediator works with each side either together or broken up into 2 separate groups and uses special skills and techniques to allow each side to understand the others positions. From there a compromise is often reached.
Mediations are often binding as they result in either signed agreements or signed court orders. However, the mediator does not have the authority to make decisions. Unlike a judge, a mediator does not tell spouses who is right and who is wrong or who wins and who loses. That is not the goal of mediation and it is not the job of the mediator. Thus, if while participating in mediation the spouses determine that they have come to an impasse then the mediation session can either be terminated or rescheduled and they are free to leave without having a decision forced upon them.
It is oftentimes advantageous to have an attorney present during mediation to help to advise you and to look at the case from a different perspective. Sometimes the big picture can become lost in the details and while an emotional and upset spouse may not see the benefits of an agreement the attorney may. Following that same line of thinking an attorney can also advise a spouse who participates in mediation against signing an agreement if the agreement is unfair or if certain factors have not been disclosed to the spouse.
Divorce mediations often involve discussion of areas such as child custody, child support, property division, debt payment, spousal support (post separation support and alimony), attorney fees and even disputes involving domestic violence. Experienced mediators can be found with relative ease and are oftentimes attorneys who have experience in family law and divorce matters either in the capacity of an attorney or a judge.
If you want to learn more about mediation and how mediation can assist you during your divorce or separation, contact us today for a confidential consultation. At Marshall & Taylor, we are here to give you the resources you need to get through your divorce or separation as comfortably as possible.