Clearwater Mediation Lawyer
When many people think of divorce, they imagine conference room argument between a married couple and each of their respective lawyers, and at the end someone saying “I’ll see you in court.” Divorce does not have to be carried out in this manner, and no one has to go to court to finalize a divorce. Mediation may be right for you and your soon to be ex spouse if you are willing to make compromises and listen to the other party’s side of the story. And, nothing about mediation is concrete, meaning that if you do not like the options presented, you do not have to take them. To get the most out of mediation, you need an attorney to represent your best interests. The Clearwater mediation lawyers of Cairns Law will be in your corner, ensuring that you are heard throughout mediation and, if necessary, beyond into the courtroom if no compromise can be made.
What is Mediation and How Will it Help My Divorce?
Mediation is a conflict-resolving process that works to bring two opposing parties together to a middle ground—all without taking place in a courtroom or forcing either party to agree to anything if they do not wish to. Mediation can be a beneficial way to resolve conflicts during divorce for a couple that cannot come to an agreement on something themselves. During mediation, an impartial mediator (who is usually a retired judge or lawyer) is used to present an argument, wish, or grievance of one party to the other, who in turn presents their own set of arguments, wishes, and grievances back to the other party. This back and forth conversation is designed to allow each party to see where the other is coming from, and to end with a compromise. Neither party gets exactly what they want, typically, but then again neither party is left empty handed, as is the case in some traditional divorces decided in a courtroom.
The Many Benefits to Mediation
Some of the benefits to mediation, according to Florida Courts, are as follows:
- Mediation is confidential. The divorce will not be part of the public record, as traditional divorces are when they are decided in a courtroom;
- Mediation is less expensive and much faster than traditional divorce;
- Compromises are safer than putting everything in the hands of the court, which is somewhat akin to going for broke;
- Mediation is an enforceable agreement when and if documents are signed at the conclusion; and
- Mediation allows for more flexible solutions to a problem than traditional divorce.
Call Our Clearwater Mediation Lawyers Today For Help
Mediation is a great way to resolve conflicts in a mutually beneficial way for many divorcing couples. However, mediation is not for everyone. According to Forbes, mediation may not be the way to go if one of the parties’ is overbearing, may have hidden assets, there is a history of domestic violence, or if there is presence of an alcohol or drug addiction. For help deciding if mediation is your best option, call the Clearwater mediation attorneys at Cairns Law today at 727-683-1472.
