During our divorce mediation process a family counselor is present, however the problems of the past are not discussed, but rather addressing the present and restructuring the future is most productive. We do advise if the past problems hinder negotiations then a separate counseling session may be necessary to allow the negotiations to continue in a productive fashion. It’s important to remember that this process calls for mutual respect for all involved. If you are more interested in winning and you want to fight your spouse, then mediation would not be right for you. Litigation means all sides lose, mediation means all sides win, including the children.
Too often divorce through litigation is seen as a lose/lose outcome. Compromise is difficult because each of the attorneys are looking for the best possible outcome for their client neither ever achieves because the judges push for settlement in every area. Divorce Mediation is designed to eliminate the lose/lose concept. Since the process is mutual, you can’t win at the other’s expense. Neither can you lose. Our goal is to come to a settlement that is both acceptable and fair to both parties. See below comparison between a traditional litigated divorce and a mediated divorce.