What do you know about making mediation work?

Rather than a traditional divorce, you and your current spouse feel that mediation may work better for you. You both want to make the most of this alternate dispute resolution method, but what does that look like?

The American Bar Association offers ideas for a successful collaborative divorce. Understand what steps help achieve your goals.

Focus on mutual gain

Just as you and your current spouse focused on your mutual benefit during your marriage, the same principle applies to divorce mediation. When deciding what you want to get out of mediation, rely on solutions that offer the most value to you both.

Concentrate on the divorce, not your soon-to-be-ex-spouse

You may have a few hard feelings regarding your relationship with your current partner. If so, try to remove those emotions from the mediation equation. You do not want to use mediation sessions as opportunities to badmouth your soon-to-be-former spouse. Doing so may drag out the process and inflate your final bill.

Rely on professionals to act as objective parties

Do you and your current spouse agree on the value of your home and other assets? If not, consider bringing in an experienced and objective third-party professional to make an experienced assessment. That way, you do not waste time going back and forth attempting to turn personal valuations into the undisputed truth.

Dive deeper than positions

You and your soon-to-be-ex may come to the mediation table with a list of requests, such as ownership of specific assets. If you butt heads trying to meet each other’s desires, dig deeper to understand the “why.” Why does your current spouse want the house? Staying focused on the interest may aid in negotiating.

With the right tips, you “win” at mediation. Set yourself up for success for your life’s next chapter.