Anyone who goes through divorce is likely to consider it to be one of the most difficult phases in his or her life. Many Massachusetts residents who have been through divorce can no doubt relate to contentious cases in which one or both sides adopts a win-it-all position, which often leaves the couple with bitter feelings toward one another that linger for years.
Not all cases have to be contentious, though. Divorcing spouses need to understand that dwelling on the emotions of a case are not likely to get favorable results and will only drag the case out, while racking up legal fees and destroying family ties.
In alternative approaches toward divorce such as collaborative divorce and divorce mediation, both parties meet with a mediator who acts as a neutral third party and who provides helpful advice designed to settle the issues involved.
Mediation has shown many benefits. First, the process enables both parties to negotiate and decide what is best for their situation. When it comes to the property division, spouses have to be honest and disclose all property and assets to ensure a fair and just settlement.
Mediation also allows parents to create a custody arrangement that allows them to co-parent for the benefit of their children. Without a family law judge’s directions, parents can focus on what is best for the children and decide on parenting schedules, relocation, doctor visits and more.
After divorce, parents will be able to appreciate how mediation helped them move on to the next chapters of their lives without severing all existing family ties. Both of them will be able to maintain a healthy relationship with the other through rational communication. In the end, the children will reap the biggest rewards of an amicable divorce.
Source: Stamford Plus Online, “CCDG: New Year, new chance for peace with ex-spouse,” Connecticut Collaborate Divorce Group, Jan. 27, 2014
