When couples divorce, they may think at first that going to court is their only option. However, this is largely just a good option for people who simply cannot work out terms on their own.
Most couples with a degree of amiability have the ability to do this. They can work together with a mediator to achieve an agreeable compromise.
What mediators cannot do
Forbes discusses alternative moves to make for a more peaceful divorce, including opting for divorce mediation. Mediation allows for couples to work together with a mediator and create a divorce plan that both parties can compromise on and agree with.
Mediators do not hold any special legal power like a judge or an arbitrator might. This means that a couple cannot simply leave the decisions in their mediator’s hands. They must do the majority of the work when it comes to deciding what they want and how they want to do it.
What mediators can do
Mediators largely just contribute by making suggestions or voicing their opinion. This is often valuable because it provides neutral, third-party insight into potential issues that a couple negotiates over.
They can also step in to do some conversation monitoring. They make sure that both parties have the appropriate amount of time to voice any concerns they have, and that one is not taking up more space than the other.
They also have some training in de-escalation techniques. This means that if an argument breaks out, they will most likely be able to step in and cool everyone down before it gets out of hand, allowing for the couple to work through the divorce faster.
