If you and your spouse are going through a divorce in Tennessee, one of your options might be mediation. Whether voluntarily chosen or ordered by the court, divorce mediation is often a more amicable pathway to divorce, saving you time and money.
Understanding how mediation works
When you and your spouse choose mediation, you work with a certified divorce mediator. This neutral third party guides you to reach an agreement on divorce issues and answers any questions you have about the legal process. During the mediation process, you and your spouse have final say over the decisions you make, and once you reach an agreement, which can become a legal document and part of your divorce order.
What issues can you resolve during mediation?
During mediation, you and your spouse can work on resolving most divorce issues. Some of these issues include:
- Child custody
- Division of property
- Child and spousal support
How do you get ready for your mediation sessions?
You should have a clear goal for what you want to achieve during each mediation session. You should also gather all documentation and information needed for that session. For example, if you are focusing on custody and the parenting plan, you should arrive at the session with your suggestions for the custody agreement, a list of issues you want to address in the parenting plan and your and your children’s work, school and activity schedules. This can help you keep the right focus on the mediation session and save you from having to extend the number of sessions you will be attending.
Because mediation is something you and your spouse both commit to, you should always be prepared to make each session efficient and productive. Doing so can also help keep the process more amicable, which in turn, can help keep your relationship with your spouse more positive.