Settle Your North Carolina Divorce Peacefully with Family Mediation

Settle Your North Carolina Divorce Peacefully with Family Mediation

Whether it’s you or someone you know considering divorce, there are different approaches you can consider when going through the divorce process. And one of the alternatives you can choose is to settle your divorce peacefully by taking advantage of family mediation services.

What is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is facilitated by a trained mediator who makes the necessary arrangements needed following a couple’s separation. A family law mediator is a neutral and professionally trained specialist who will help deal with family disputes and develop a solution that favors is acceptable to both parties. Issues that need resolution could be child support, the division of assets, custody questions, grandparent visitation, to name a few.

Mediation is one option of for settling a divorce with less conflict, especially when you and your spouse want an alternative means of resolving the issues that need to be addressed. If you’re seeking family mediation in North Carolina and see this process as a good fit for you, then continue reading down below to read everything you need to know about this process.

What Are the Benefits of Family Mediation?

Family mediation has several benefits, which include reduced costs. In general, taking your case to court will be much more expensive and the cost is much higher than the cost of mediation. Furthermore, using the court system to settle your divorce can also be quite time-consuming, thus draining a lot of energy and resources from both parties.

With the aid of a family mediator, your divorce process will likely cost less and take place quicker.

In court, the judge or the arbitrator has the final say when it comes to your case. But with a family law mediator, you and your ex-spouse both have control over these decisions. Both of you can freely discuss your rights and options and decide what is fair for you in the end.

Additionally, a family law mediator can take steps not to allow either of the parties to overpower the other and has the power to halt a mediation if it starts to become ineffective. A mediator can help to move parties forward, even if one of the parties involved becomes reluctant to negotiate.

And even with a presence of a family law mediator, you can still hire an independent family law attorney for yourself to help you in the legal process. After all, the role of a mediator is to help parties reach a healthy and agreeable compromise. At the same time, a lawyer by your side will aid you and give you much-needed advice regarding your circumstances.

Is Family Mediation right for me?

You should get consider family mediation in North Carolina if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are willing to and can manage to find a middle ground with each other without the aid of  the court system. However, in divorce cases that involve domestic violence or any other form of abuse, mediation as an option may not be reasonable. In such a case, victims are likely to be at risk upon opening up to their abuser in mediation sessions.

If you’re still unsure whether you should consider family mediation in North Carolina, you may get a consultation first from a family law attorney. From there, you will see what options you have. A family law attorney can give you helpful advice regarding your circumstances and can help you to consider family mediation.

Next, if you have further questions about family mediation, here are the some FAQs you may want to ask as well when you choose family mediation:

1. How many sessions of mediation are needed when people are divorcing?

Depending on your case, the number of sessions that can take place may vary. It would not be unusual to have three to four sessions, with each session lasting less than a day. Of course, complex cases might need more than the average amount of sessions when it’s necessary.

2. How does mediation work?

Mediation works by hiring a third-party neutral professional. The mediator’s duties include assisting the involved parties in coming up with a mutually agreed-upon compromise. This compromise is a legally binding agreement that will benefit everyone.

Family mediation is confidential. The family law mediator is in charge of setting a meeting place in a neutral location, date, and time convenient for both parties involved.

During the mediation session, a family law mediator will consult with both parties and help them to find common ground to solve the ongoing disputes.

The session can take place in a boardroom meeting setup; or the mediator may choose to begin the session with the parties in separate rooms. A joint session allows each party to present their side. A breakout session will allow the mediator to speak separately to each party

3. When is the best time to start mediation?

Any time is the best time to start mediation. Separating couples can start mediation once both parties have agreed to try and reach a compromise in their divorce process.

Get in Touch with N. Lawrence Hudspeth III, Attorney at Law, a Certified Family Mediator

Suppose you’re facing divorce and are looking for family mediation in North Carolina. In that case, I can be of great assistance to you. Having practiced law in North Carolina for 45 years, I am committed to serving family law clients and can help you efficiently deal with even your most stressful situations. Contact me at (910) 455-9921, or send an inquiry to lhudspethfamilylaw@charter.net, to explore the process of family mediation, and I will help you understand your rights and let you know your viable options.