Divorce Mediation in Marietta
What is mediation?
Mediation, also referred to as "alternative dispute resolution,"
is an increasingly common approach to achieving a final settlement in a
divorce. While divorce is a legal action which cannot be completed without going
through the court, it is still fundamentally a personal matter between
two people, as they work to separate their financial affairs, make plans
for the future of their children and bring an end to a chapter in their lives.
The Cobb County Superior Court has one of the largest court-annexed mediation
programs throughout the state, so if you and your spouse bring a
contested divorce to the court, there is a good chance that you will be referred to a mediator
for assistance in resolving the issues involved in the dissolution of
your marriage.
Is mediation right for me?
The couples who do best in mediation are those who are capable of constructive
and respectful communication with one another, and who are both sincerely
dedicated to achieving a settlement which is in the best interests of
both parties, rather than in taking an adversarial approach.
The Superior Court reports that domestic mediation has a settlement rate
of 69% in our area, so not every mediated divorce is finalized without
resorting to litigation. If, however, you and your spouse are committed
to carrying out an
uncontested divorce, this is likely a viable option.
Mediation Can Be Used to Resolve Modifications
While modifications to child support, custody, visitation, and other divorce
arrangements must be sanctioned by a court, this does not mean it can
be a collaborative, mutual process. Parents can use mediation to negotiate
the terms of a modification to ensure that the order is fair for all parties
involved. This can save extra time, trouble, and expenses when a modification
petition is contested or turned down as a result of hasty preparation.
Our divorce attorneys in Marietta may use mediation not only to help spouses
through divorce negotiations, but also with modifications to divorce agreements.
Learn more about modifications. If you are ready to find solutions, call 888-896-1973!
What are the advantages of mediation?
In mediation, you and your spouse will not each have an attorney-rather,
a Marietta divorce lawyer from Henrickson & Sereebutra will act
as a neutral third party, representing neither of you but serving both
your best interests equally. The attorney works to facilitate discussion
and negotiations, as well as ensuring that all relevant legal matters
are addressed.
It is a private action, so you will not be forced to expose your private
affairs in court, and will not have the intervention of the judge. Instead,
you and your spouse will be in control of the process, and will have a
far better chance of reaching mutually beneficial decisions regarding
property division,
spousal support,
child custody and
child support.
If you are interested in divorce mediation,
contact a Marietta divorce attorney from our firm today. We can review your case for free!