4 Ways Newport, RI Legal Mediation Can Help You With Family Law Issues

Family law can be long, stressful and confusing. It’s difficult to comprehend the law when going through an expensive divorce. However, there may be an easier way to tackle the subject. Considering Newport, RI legal mediation can alleviate the density of courtroom proceedings while finding a solution that benefits everyone involved — including children.

Legal mediation is low stress

In a settlement case, lawyers will argue as well as clients. The trial can be heated, messy and devastating, particularly if children are involved. Mediation offers a tactful resource that leaves both parties with a civil relationship. Stability in the relationship will help with future communication about childrens’ well-being.

Throughout the mediation process, both participants realize they will need to maintain some form of a healthy relationship to support their children. If they cannot discuss their lives and assets without feuding, how will they be able to consider the best options for their children’s health and education needs? Choosing mediation shows a cooperative spirit to work out differences with the child’s interest in mind.

Legal mediation also cuts back stress on your checkbook. Most settlement cases are two to ten times more expensive than mediation, with the same enforcible nature.

You can find solutions that fit your life

In a courtroom, applying family law treats every case the same. With mediation, you can tailor splitting assets and handle child responsibilities in a fair way that fits your lifestyle instead of disrupting it. Mediators don’t offer legal advice, but they do act as consultants to help each party find the solution that is the best fit. They do this while also adhering to state and federal laws.

Solutions in mediation are more practical and conducive to each individual’s specific situation. Take, for example, the instance where one spouse depends on the other to handle financial statements and documentation. A mediator may notice this and recommend each party learn the skills or hire an accountant to maintain financial upkeep. In return, each party will not only maintain their financial independence but learn new skills and self-confidence.

In situations involving children, an equal split of custody may not be appropriate. If one party often travels for work, a mediator can guide both parties to a unique solution that works in everyone’s best interest.

Mediators level the playing field

When issues of abuse or power moves are dominant in a relationship, it may feel like one person has more control in a situation over the other. In a mediation setting, a mediator levels the playing field for you to voice what you want, as they set the tone for the settlement and step in if things become too heated or unproductive.

Say you feel your spouse won’t listen to you on the subject of handling property you both own. When a mediator notices you’re consistently talked over or ignored, they will step in to make sure you voice your opinion when coming to a conclusion.

In mediation, the lawyer acting as a mediator is there to help each party understand their desires and problems, and to meet a resolution. At no point does a mediator pass judgment on either party. This means each person has equal opportunity to voice desires and receive what they feel is fair and appropriate.

The mediation process allows opportunity to become more informed

There are many details and aspects of family law that can be difficult to absorb in a short amount of time. In litigation, a lawyer may tell you not to worry about the fine details. Through mediation, you’re able to ask questions as topics come up and go as slow or fast as you want. If there’s something you want to think about in more depth or research, legal mediation allows time to come back to the topic when both parties are better prepared.

While individuals should hire their own attorneys — even if you decide mediation is your best option — a mediator can answer questions about your rights. Mediation is almost always more than one session, so you have time to think of questions on unresolved issues and are not rushed to make a decision about anything.

Parties may meet with the mediator individually or as a group. The mediator then describes the implications of certain laws and aspects of dividing assets as they come up, making sure both parties are fully aware of the weight of the items they agree to.

Mediation reduces long and short-term stress in your life by finding solutions that fit you as an individual. It also allows you to understand the big picture of the documents your signing and laws in play. Mediation is not for everyone, but if you feel this process would work for you, contact a Newport, RI mediator today.