What Does an Illinois Divorce Mediator Do?

When divorcing couples are able and willing to cooperate, the divorce process can move much more efficiently and with less stress and hardship for everyone involved. However, even when you and your spouse both have good intentions, it can sometimes be challenging to reach a resolution on all important issues without help from a professional. In these cases, the services of a trained divorce mediator can be beneficial for assistance with the legal proceedings and making a smooth transition.

Helpful Mediation Strategies in an Illinois Divorce

In divorce mediation, couples retain control over their own decisions regarding parenting agreements, spousal support, property division, and more, with the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator. Since mediators do not take sides or seek to influence or enforce decisions, you may wonder exactly what it is they do. When you hire the services of an experienced mediator, he or she can:

• Solicit input from both parties. When one party tends to dominate discussions, the other party may often be unsatisfied with the outcome, and cooperation can break down. A mediator can ensure that both spouses have an adequate opportunity to speak and fully express their perspectives.

• Keep the focus on the facts. If emotions start to get the better of you or your spouse, your mediator can redirect the conversation to focus on the issues at hand. Being able to express your needs without hurting each other’s feelings is often crucial to reaching a long-term solution.

• Identify common ground. Through listening carefully to the perspectives of both spouses, a mediator can identify areas of agreement, needs that may be compatible, and opportunities for compromise. This can keep the process moving and give you more time to focus on issues on which there is greater disagreement.

• Offer guidance based on legal expertise. Many mediators are also licensed divorce attorneys, and while they do not represent one party or seek to influence decisions, they can answer questions and offer information that allows the parties to make better decisions.

• Facilitate virtual mediation. When face-to-face meetings are difficult due to emotional reactions or concerns related to COVID-19, many mediators can also facilitate discussions virtually using video conferencing and other means of communication that create some distance between the two spouses.

Contact an Elgin Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Getting divorced can be a daunting experience even under the best of circumstances. At the Law Offices of Benedict Schwarz, II PC, we are passionate about mediation as an alternative approach to divorce resolution, and we have the training and experience to provide solutions for your unique situation. Call our seasoned Kane County divorce mediator today at 847-428-7725 to schedule an initial consultation.

Source:

https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/mediation/types-mediation-choose-type-best-suited-conflict/