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Chester County Mediation Attorney

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Could Mediation Be Right for Your Chester County Family Law Matter?

Marriage can be difficult at times, and no matter how hard you try, sometimes the issues can’t be worked out. Sometimes, divorce is your best option. Divorce doesn’t have to be long and drawn out; instead of going through a heated courtroom battle in Chesco Family Court, you can opt for mediation.

Mediation is more cost-effective, and you can be done with the divorce proceedings in less time. However, mediation works only when both parties want to mediate. If your spouse has no interest in sitting down and discussing coming to an agreement with you, then it most likely won’t go well.

If you are considering mediation in Chester County, please give the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., a call at (610) 645-0100 for a free consultation. Our Chesco divorce lawyers would be happy to explain your options.

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How Does Mediation Work?

Mediations are completely confidential; an agreement must be signed by both parties agreeing to confidentiality before the mediation starts. A mediation involves the couple, their lawyers, and the mediator. Each spouse must have his/her own lawyer. The lawyers will present what their clients want out of the divorce, and the mediator helps both sides come to a compromise. If the mediation is successful, the divorce will be settled out of court. On the other hand, if the mediation does not end well and you do end up going to Pennsylvania family court, none of the information from the mediation can be admitted in court. This includes comments that were made during mediation against the other spouse. The mediator also cannot be called to testify in court to back up any claims or dispel them. Simply put, if the divorce does end up going to trial, both parties will have to start back at square one.

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How Do You Prepare for Mediation?

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., recommends the following advice to prepare for your mediation.

  • Hire a competent divorce mediator. Do your research on who you want to mediate the divorce proceedings. Talk to your legal team before making any decisions, as they may have reputable recommendations for you. Sheryl Rentz and her team work with established mediators, and can recommend several.
  • Know what you want out of the divorce. Think long and hard about your expectations and communicate them effectively to your lawyer and the mediator. No one knows your situation better than you, so make sure what you’re fighting for is clear.
  • Actively participate in the process. Even if you do not want to get a divorce, do your part during this process. Being difficult and refusing to cooperate out of spite or anger will only hurt you in the long run.
  • Be willing to compromise. Compromising is the most important element to a successful mediation. It is impossible for everyone to get exactly what they want, so be willing to bend on certain issues.
  • Take care of yourself. This will probably be the most stressful situation that you will go through. Be sure to make some time for self-care so you can operate at tip-top shape during the process.
  • Don’t involve friends or family. Although they generally mean well, they may give you wrong information or bad advice on what to do. Unless your family member is a family law attorney, trust the professionals in the long run.

If your spouse is refusing to cooperate, try getting them on board by explaining your reasoning and the benefits of mediation versus going to court. If you talk to your spouse in a way that doesn’t feel combative, they may come around to the idea of mediation, and that would probably better for your whole family.

If you would like more information about mediation, or need assistance handling your family law matter in Chester County, please give the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., a call at (610) 645-0100 for a free consultation with a Chesco divorce attorney.

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Additional Information

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(610) 645-0100