5 Tips for Preparing for Divorce Mediation in Illinois

 Posted on October 14, 2021 in Chicago divorce attorney

Divorce is never easy, but it does not have to be a nightmare. With the help of your attorney, having a third-party mediator to help you and your spouse navigate potentially contentious issues of divorce can make the entire process go faster and more smoothly. Mediation is still a lot of work, but the positive outcome is usually well worth the effort. Our last blog post gave an overview of the mediation process. Here, we offer five great tips for preparing for mediation.

Be Flexible

Anticipate that unexpected problems, feelings, and requests will arise. If you approach mediation with rigid expectations about how it “should” go, you will ultimately find yourself frustrated and disappointed. Being flexible can apply to your own feelings about the situation, too - you may find that your priorities can shift during mediation, and that is okay.

Get Ready to Listen

Mediation can only work if both parties are invested in working together and can give each other the benefit of the doubt. You may think you already know everything that is important to your spouse, but people are often surprised at what they learn when they can really listen with the help of a mediator. Assume your spouse is telling the truth and act as if what they say is important. Doing so creates goodwill that can benefit you when it is your turn to express yourself.

Prioritize, But Consider Acceptable Alternatives

A good compromise leaves everybody unhappy - at least, that is how the saying goes. It is important to have priorities to give you focus, but it is equally important to be willing to consider viable alternatives. Consider thinking about a best-case scenario, several okay scenarios, and where you will set firm limits.

Speak with Others Who Have Experienced Mediation

Knowing what the mediation process has looked like for other people can help you set reasonable expectations for your own experience. Although mediation has a reputation for being very successful, it may be helpful to hear stories from real people.

Remember What is at Stake

You may become very frustrated and dissatisfied at some point during the mediation process, but it is important to consider alternatives if you were to stop. Mediation may not be perfect, but is it worse than starting all over? Is it worse than moving forward to court litigation? Although these decisions certainly have a time and a place, sometimes considering the alternatives can help put a difficult process in perspective.

Work with an Aurora, IL Divorce Attorney

Mediation can be a useful process that has the potential to make your divorce much easier. If you are considering mediation, speak with a skilled DuPage County divorce attorney at The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C.. Mr. Williams can help you prepare for mediation so you are ready when the process begins, and he will advocate for you until the process is finished. Call our office today to schedule your initial confidential consultation at 630-409-8184.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2489&ChapterID=51