Choosing the Right Divorce Mediator

 Posted on June 30, 2016 in Mediation and Collaborative Law

Once you and your spouse agree to a mediated divorce, the next step is finding the right mediator to handle your case. Choosing a great mediator is important. This is the person you will be working through very personal, complex matters with. You will discuss financial and legal issues, communicate your feelings and thoughts, plan for the future of any children you may have, and more, all while a mediator helps guide you through the process. You need a mediator you can trust, who has experience, and one you can rely on to help you and your spouse make sound decisions. When searching for the right mediator, here are four tips to keep in mind:

Education

Any mediator you choose to work with should be highly qualified. This means they should have significant education in mediation and dispute resolution, and have continued training and learning throughout their career. Ask any potential candidates how much education they have received. Do they have an advanced degree in conflict resolution? Or any certifications? A legal background is also beneficial, as the mediator you choose with also be providing you and your spouse with legal information throughout the process. If you get any sense that a mediator in question is not educated enough to properly handle your mediation, look elsewhere. You need to have full faith that your mediator knows how to properly handle your case.

Practice Area

Would you hire a doctor who only practices medicine part-time? Or eat at a restaurant whose chef only cooks occasionally? Probably not, and the same logic should go into choosing a mediator to handle your divorce. You need a mediator with experience, so choose one whose primary practice area is divorce and family law and mediation. While years in the industry to not always indicate the most qualified candidate, as a general rule of thumb, the more experience an individual has practicing something, the better they will be. For this reason, seek out a mediator who has dedicated all, or at least most, of their professional time to family and divorce law. Effective mediation requires skill and experience.

Involvement in the Mediation Community

When considering potential mediators, take a look at how involved each candidate is in the mediation community. What do their peers think about them? Are they involved in any mediator organizations and associations? Involvement typically means an individual is serious about being the best in their field, especially if they hold any leadership positions. Have they contributed any articles or other published writings to the field? If a mediator is well known for providing education to others, they likely have the skills needed to handle your divorce.

Trust

In addition to a mediator's background and experience, you need to consider something very important: can you trust them? This is by far the most important consideration, as whoever you choose to mediate your divorce will be your guide through the process. You will discussing sensitive, important issues, so both you and your spouse need to feel comfortable with them. Can you trust them to stay impartial, and feel certain knowing they are helping you both reach a mutually beneficial agreement? Do you trust their process? Any mediator worth considering should be able to describe the approach they take. Take time to consult with any potential candidates beforehand and ensure there is enough trust present to feel comfortable moving forward.

Help You Can Count On

While mediation and collaborative law is not the right choice for everyone, many divorcing couples do benefit from these less conflicted, less time consuming, and less costly alternative divorce methods. The experienced team of DuPage County divorce attorneys and mediators at Pesce Law Group, P.C., are here to help immediately. Call 630-352-2240 today to schedule a free consultation with us. We can help you find the best divorce method for you and your spouse, and will be here to help every step of the way.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-aurit-jd-mdr/5-tips-for-choosing-the-b_b_10144882.html