Many people realize that mediation is often the fastest and least expensive way that you can go through a divorce. What some might not fully understand is that there are some situations in which mediation won’t work.
It’s imperative that you think carefully about how well you and your ex will be able to compromise if you’re thinking about mediation. If any of these situations apply to you, mediation might not be in your best interests.
Mediation likely won’t work for these situations
Mediation requires both parties to be willing and able to compromise. The decisions have to be mutually agreeable to both sides if the process is going to be effective. If either party opts not to negotiate, mediation won’t work.
It can be almost impossible to mediate a divorce if either party has an addiction. Drugs and alcohol may impair the person’s judgment and alter their perception of what’s happening around them or what motivates a particular discussion.
Situations that involve abuse are almost always difficult to mediate because of the risk of physical violence. It’s imperative that everyone remains safe throughout the divorce, so putting an abused spouse with an abusive spouse during mediation isn’t a good idea. Even in mediation, there can be a power imbalance that makes the victim of such abuse unable to negotiate effectively.
Mediation can help most couples end their marriage on a better note
Anyone who’s going through a divorce should work closely with their attorney to learn about their options, rights, and responsibilities. This can help you to make the decisions that are in your best interest throughout the divorce process. Be sure that you think logically and not emotionally about these decisions so you can do what’s best in the long run.