An essential aspect of divorce proceedings, especially with children in the picture, is mediation. This is a neutral third party who helps you negotiate a detailed post-divorce parenting plan that is acceptable to both ex-spouses.

While mediation has been available privately for decades, the use of court-connected mediation has rapidly grown in the last ten years, so much so that child custody mediation is mandatory in some U.S. states.

Research shows that mediation can reduce litigation over custody — when parents make use of mediation, they are likely to reach a settlement 60 to 70 per cent of the time. Not only do couples save money on expensive litigation battles, they will have much more control over their parenting plan, whereas in litigation, the judge will decide on the time-sharing program. Parents are usually much more satisfied with mediation than with litigation.

Though cost savings are often the first benefits of mediation, there are many other advantages to be had with child custody mediation. Both parties may no longer be “man and wife”, but they will still be “mom and dad” forever to their children, so what mediation does is help two separated individuals navigate parenting after the divorce papers have been signed.

1. Communicating face-to-face saves time in chipping out the details that specify the day-to-day time-share of the children, as well as plans for holidays, vacations, and other special issues of the family.

2. The children can have a say in the parenting plan, which fosters more communication within the separated family and gives them greater control over their lives, too.

3. Divorced couples can understand better how to manage their money in a separated situation and plan for their children’s future.

4. Parents learn how to deal with unexpected crises like illnesses and accidents.

5. Coming to an agreement about how the children will be educated is another major component that will be discussed to avoid future conflict and disagreements.

6. Practice how to solve problems related to the children in a non-abrasive, collaborative manner.

Related posts:
Sharing custody Part 1: Factors determining custody award
Sharing custody Part 3: How to prepare for child custody mediation

Related posts:

1. Sharing custody Part 3: How to prepare for child custody mediation
2. Sharing custody Part 1: Factors determining custody award
3. Basic facts of child support

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