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Common Divorce Mediation Myths
December 4, 2015
Separating and divorcing families have used divorce mediation for many years. Even so, there are some misunderstandings about the process. For example, you and your partner do not have to be on the best of terms to be able to enter into divorce mediation. Also, the process can benefit couples and domestic partners of all ages, income levels, with children, without children, etc. For more information, on divorce mediation myths, please check out: Common Myths About Mediation by Clare Piro.
1. Only People Who Agree on Terms of Settlement can MediateIf that were true, there would be no need to mediate, and they could just enter into a settlement agreement. Of course, people who disagree can mediate, just like people who are angry can mediate and people who don’t really like each other can mediate.
The only agreement that both parties must make before starting mediation is to mediate. The mediator’s job is to facilitate the couple’s discussion so that each spouse is heard and understood, and the discussion is focused on resolutions that will satisfy each party’s interests.
2. A Couple can Only Mediate if They Have Equal PowerIn a marriage, it is rare that both spouses have equal advocacy skills. In mediation, though, a party who needs help to advocate or make good decisions can get that help, be it from a lawyer, financial person or divorce coach.
If someone is lacking the capacity to advocate as a result of substance abuse or domestic violence, then only mediators with special training should undertake those matters, if at all.
3. People Who Mediate Don’t Use Lawyers, so Their Agreements are UnfairFirst of all, the use of an attorney does not guarantee that an agreement is fair to both parties, nor for that matter, is a court determination always fair. To the contrary, in mediation, the parties are in control of all decisions that go into the final agreement. They make those decisions based upon a number of considerations, including their own ideas of fairness, the law, what works best for them and their family and how their decisions are likely to affect them in the future. Further, parties in mediation are encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney and many do, in fact, see an attorney at the conclusion of the mediation, to review their settlement agreement.
4. Mediation Ignores the Law So Agreements Will Not Be UpheldMediators provide legal information (not legal advice) to the parties, so the parties are aware of the law. It is then up to the parties to decide whether or not they want to apply the law or waive it. A knowing waiver of the law, such as a waiver of the Child Support Standards Act, will be upheld provided that the parties clearly understand what the law provides.
5. Only People With Few Assets and Low Income Can MediateThis is simply not true. Many high-income, high-asset cases mediate for the very reasons that anyone wants to mediate – it is a process in which you work with your spouse and not against your spouse to resolve your issues in a way that is least harmful to the family; it is private; it is less costly; and it typically takes much less time than an adversarial process..
