Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

When a married couple makes the difficult decision of ending their union, a number of complicated matters are certain to arise throughout the divorce. To help sort out these issues in an amicable, stress-free manner, a pair might choose the process of mediation. During a divorce, mediation is one way of finding solutions to issues such as spousal support or child custody, and is basically an alternative to the formal process of divorce court. A court appointed third party, known as the mediator, meets with both parties in the divorce and their respective attorneys to assist with negotiating resolutions to their divorce.

Both parties in the divorce have the opportunity to discuss relevant issues, clear up any disagreements, and arrive at a mutual agreement. The primary goal of the mediator is to simply act as an intermediary and an objective third party; he or she does not aim to force an agreement or resolve problems. However, a mediator may offer his or her opinion or make suggestions. The process of mediation has some benefits, such as:

• Saving time and money, as successful mediation can shorten the divorce process and help both parties avoid divorce court.
• Being a fair process for all parties involved as the mediator is an objective third party who may be able to see solutions that the couple can’t because he or she is not emotionally invested in the result.
• Mediation is a confidential process; notes taken by the mediator are simply thrown out afterwards and it is not a public court proceeding, so a couple can be assured privacy.
• Mediation can also help parties avoid drawn-out litigation, save money on attorney fees, and cut down the steps of a standard divorce process.

The process of obtaining a divorce can be very stressful and demanding, so mediation can be an excellent way for couples to reach amenable solutions with the help of a neutral party. If you are a Pennsylvania couple who needs mediation assistance, Sheryl R. Rentz is a Montgomery County mediation attorney with extensive experience in family law and helping couples throughout the divorce process. Call (866) 290-9292 for a no-cost consultation.

It can be a difficult decision to decide to divorce, and one that brings with it emotional issues and a high amount of stress. Many couples going through a Pennsylvania divorce decide to settle their affairs through mediation, rather than adding litigation and court appearances to their stress.

Mediation in Pennsylvania allows a couple who wishes to divorce a way to handle matters of divorce in an open, non-judgmental environment with an unbiased mediator, typically an attorney, facilitating the discussion. While the conversation is serious, mediation is generally very informal and communication between both parties can be made easier. Often, many couples find litigation does not permit them to state their side of the story or leaves them with a settlement from a judge they are unhappy with. In mediation, both couples are given an opportunity to air their grievances, and an agreement is reached that takes both of their needs into concern. Typically, issues such as child custody and visitation agreements, property division, and more are decided during mediation.

It is crucial, then, that you chose a mediation lawyer that has experience successfully helping couples in Pennsylvania in mediation during divorce. It is also very important you select an attorney you feel you can trust since they will protect your legal rights during the mediation process.

First, you need to make sure you are hiring a lawyer who actually has experience in mediation; not just divorce litigation. It is essential that they have real-world experience so you can know what you should expect during the process and know they can offer you the guidance you need. During your initial consultation, ask the mediation attorney about their specific experience, though do keep in mind they won’t be able to disclose many details due to client confidentiality. You should also take note of whether you feel comfortable with them during your meeting and whether you think they understand the details of your situation.

You should also be sure that you think the lawyer will respect your decision during the Pennsylvania mediation process, even if what you decide goes against what they feel is best. It is likely you have solid reasons for the decision you make, even if you are settling for less in some areas intentionally, and ultimately, the decisions are yours to make. If you think mediation may fit your needs, contact Sheryl Rentz, a highly skilled Philadelphia mediation lawyer at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz to learn more. Call 610-645-0100 today.