Community members who are given the opportunity to utilise a family mediation service to settle their separation should give the practice as much attention as possible.
While others will opt for court, this is a chance to bypass many of those issues and complications, focusing on the priorities that matter most to individuals.
For many, this is the ideal outcome as they recognise court remaining an option.
Let us explore the incentives that are in play for people using a family mediation service.
Keeping the Process Private
From the very outset, family members will realise that there is less of a spectacle involved in mediation practices. While a court ruling is not subjected to much outside attention, there will still be a removal of complete privacy when it involves lawyers, courtroom officials and those with permission to view the process. In this setting, it is simply the mediator and each spouse who is at the table, taking away much of the noise, interference and concerns over privacy that citizens are entitled to at this moment.
Reducing Costs
There might be some participants who baulk at the cost of a family mediation service, but in comparison to a drawn out court case that uses the time of a judge and lawyers, the dollars and cents don’t add up. This is an exercise which consistently saves members more on their bottom line, something that really matters when constituents feel financially vulnerable with assets being divided. For those who want to look after their financial future, this is the ideal route to take.
Flexible Timeframes
Deciding to resolve the matter through professional mediators removes many of the time barriers that participants would otherwise encounter in court. Through that avenue, there are extensive delays for hearing times and once an appointment has been seen through, it can be even more arduous to continue making progress. Opting for this route will be ideal for adults who have to balance work and family commitments, placing sessions into a framework that appeals to each party.
Creative Agreement Options
There are no definitive rules or provisions placed on clients who engage a family mediation service. If they want to draft their own terms regarding child custody and visitation to support payments, home ownership, financial accounts, business interests and beyond, they will have that freedom. This is simply not available for courtroom procedures as the judge will impose limitations based on case precedent.
Mental & Emotional Health Benefits
Thanks to a range of case studies and previous examples, it is clear that community members experience less stress, anger, frustration, anxiety and animosity throughout. Being subjected to a courtroom space already creates a conflict and taking an alternative approach provides obvious mental and emotional health benefits. Amid all of the problems that exist during this time, it is ideal to have a space that removes those issues from the equation, assisting individuals who need to think and act in a clear headspace for their long-term benefit.
Taking Ownership of the Outcome
Although there are fraught emotions and tensions that exist in these moments, the incentive to use a mediator will surround the outcome and how participants feel about it. No one wants to find themselves in a scenario where a third party dictates who someone can live with and who gets to own what. In this case, adults have the chance to shape their own future and walk away from the relationship in the knowledge they made the significant choices.