How Can Family Law Mediation Help Me Resolve My Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on March 15, 2021 in Divorce

Ending a marriage is not as simple as signing on the dotted line and walking away. Most divorcing couples will need to resolve certain issues before they can finalize the divorce. The division of marital property and debt is often an especially complicated and tense aspect of a divorce. If you are a parent, you and your spouse will need to determine how to divide parenting responsibilities and parenting time. You and your spouse may also disagree about child support and/or spousal support. One way you may be able to reach an agreement about these issues is through family law mediation.

Mediation Is an Alternative to Divorce Litigation  

If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement about the terms of your divorce, the court will be forced to determine the unresolved issues for you. This not only takes away your control over the outcome of your divorce but going through divorce litigation is often a very stressful process. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method that aims to resolve divorce issues outside of court. During mediation, the spouses work with a skilled mediator to discuss the unresolved issues, explore possible solutions, and find common ground.

The Mediation Process in Illinois

The mediator’s job is to help you and your spouse communicate effectively and reach a resolution. He or she does not tell you how to resolve your divorce or pick sides. Mediators are trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation strategies. When the conversation gets heated or off-topic, the mediator gently leads the spouses back to the issue at hand. The mediator’s ultimate goal is to help the spouses communicate effectively so that they can reach their own conclusion about how to handle the unresolved terms.

There are several different benefits to mediation, including:

• Confidentiality – The conversations you have during mediation remain confidential. If your case goes to trial, the details of the case become public record.

• Maintaining a respectful relationship – Many couples find that they learn communication skills during mediation that help them remain on good terms after the divorce. This is especially important for divorcing parents who intend to co-parent.

• Reduced stress – Divorce litigation usually takes longer and is more stressful than mediation.

• Control – Couples who resolve divorce issues through mediation remain in control of the outcome of their divorce. Spouses who are involved in deciding the terms of their divorce are more likely to comply with those terms.

While there is a multitude of benefits to mediation, a mediator is not qualified to give legal advice and does not replace your lawyer. Furthermore, it should be noted that there are situations in which resolving divorce issues through mediation may be inappropriate or impossible.  

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Divorce Lawyer

If you are thinking about ending your marriage, it is important to know all of the legal avenues at your disposal. To learn more and discuss whether mediation may be right for you, contact the experienced law firm of A Traub & Associates. Call 847-749-4182 to set up a confidential consultation with one of our skilled Arlinton Heights, IL family law attorneys.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&SeqStart=3700000&SeqEnd=5200000