In Las Vegas and across the country, divorce mediation has taken over as the preferred way to handle the procedure. Mediation gives a divorcing couple the chance to discreetly discuss the terms of their divorce under the guidance of a neutral mediator in a friendly, low-pressure environment, as opposed to litigation, which is very formal, intimidating, and stressful. This method has been shown to be successful and enables divorcing partners to cut their divorce costs and time in half. However, the willingness of the divorced couples to bargain is crucial to the mediation process’s success.
It is conceivable for divorce partners to initially consent to mediation only to determine that this method cannot help them come to mutually satisfactory agreements. It’s also possible for one partner to let their emotions get the best of them, leading them to want a trial rather than gain from mediation. It is normal to worry about what might occur if mediation doesn’t work for your circumstance if you are getting ready for divorce mediation or have already started the procedure. However, there are a number of realistic solutions that can assist you in resolving this issue, and you may be able to partially benefit from mediation before resorting to litigation to resolve the remaining issues in your divorce.
If you resort into litigation here is what you need to know before proceeding as stated in NRS 125.200.
What Is the Process of Mediation?
A couple going through a divorce who decides to undergo divorce mediation chooses a mediator who is impartial and has no conflicts of interest that might benefit either spouse. Until the couple agrees on every aspect of their divorce, the mediator steers discussions and keeps mediation sessions on track. For instance, California’s strong community property rules mandate that, regardless of the grounds for a divorce, divorcing spouses split the marital estate 50/50. Therefore, the judge would have the final word in how the couple must divide their marital property throughout the divorce case. This can entail selling off certain assets or selling a piece of property and distributing the earnings equally. By settling on a property division based on value through divorce mediation, the couple may be able to avoid these restrictions while still retaining ownership of some assets and properties.
The spouses merely need to be willing to negotiate for mediation to be a viable choice; they don’t even need to get along well. For instance, until they achieve a mediated divorce agreement, the spouses could finish mediation without having any direct contact by acting through their respective attorneys. Unfortunately, a couple may be unable to complete the mediation procedure because of raging tempers and internal strife.
The main advantages of mediation in divorce proceedings
Since the benefits of divorce mediation are so clear, many family law professionals advise their clients to choose it as their first option. Effectiveness is one of the benefits mentioned most frequently. Both parties can have a say in how the marriage ends and how future living arrangements are made through divorce mediation. This strategy gives spouses a sense of empowerment. This may result in a long-lasting cooperative attitude between the ex-spouses, which is very advantageous for resolving problems that might come up later.
- Cost. A contentious divorce can cost substantially more money than mediation.
- Flexibility. Instead of being required to adhere to the court’s strict schedule, you can plan mediation sessions at a time that is convenient for you.
- Dignity. You can get out of divorce with dignity and reputation intact thanks to mediation’s non-confrontational method. Your kids won’t learn any embarrassing personal information about your marriage. You can walk away from a mediated divorce with your head held high.
The Disadvantages of Divorce Mediation
Even though divorce mediation can be effective, it might not be for everyone. Think about these possible drawbacks.
No one will be negotiating on your behalf. Mediation is a fantastic choice for persons who feel comfortable discussing and resolving legal issues without seeking legal counsel. Although trained divorce mediators are familiar with the pertinent laws and can create a settlement outlining your and your spouse’s agreements, they are not permitted to provide you with legal advice. (Many competent divorce mediators are not attorneys; they can be any number of professionals, including therapists, social workers, and psychologists.)
Attorneys may participate in mediation with some mediators. Others, however, advise against having a lawyer there because they worry that their presence may tip the scales in the discussions, especially when only one spouse will be represented. Additionally, if both partners bring lawyers, it may appear hostile.
Consider speaking with a lawyer outside of the mediation sessions if you wish to proceed with mediation but also receive legal counsel. This could be done at the conclusion of the procedure or after each session.
The Cost of Mediation Is Higher Than That of Do-It-Yourself Divorce. Consider the cost of mediation versus a DIY divorce if you want to keep your costs to a minimal. But with a DIY divorce, you’ll have to handle the divorce process on your own and become familiar with the laws and practices of the court.
And you might not be satisfied with the DIY settlement unless you and your husband are totally in accord and your divorce only entails dissolving the marriage. If you agree to anything simply for the sake of agreeing, you might later come to regret it. For instance, you might decide how to divide a significant pension or piece of real estate, or decide on an alimony payment, only to find out later that you underestimated the legal or financial repercussions.
Mediation is not appropriate for couples that have a power imbalance. A level playing field is essential for a successful mediation. If one spouse has the upper hand over the other in any way, mediation may not succeed. For instance, a bully used to “winning” spouse might never agree to compromise. Alternatively, a partner who has been the victim of domestic abuse can be too hesitant to speak up during a mediation session. (Continued domestic abuse and other risky circumstances essentially disqualify mediation and indicate that the potential or current victim requires professional assistance.)
The success of mediation is also less likely when one spouse has a track record of lying or being unreliable. This is particularly true if one spouse is thought to be hiding assets or misusing money. Only if both spouses are completely honest about all of the issues at hand, including all they own, can a meaningful settlement be reached.
Additionally, the other spouse should typically have legal representation if one spouse is asserting legally that the other spouse is to blame for the divorce or has already retained legal counsel.
What happens if the mediation fails?
It does not necessarily indicate that mediation has failed if both the couple cannot resolve their conflict before the end of the mediation process for any reason. It’s a very uncommon fact for divorcing couples to approach mediation “a la carte,” resolving what they can through private conversations before resorting to litigation to resolve the remaining issues. This approach is sometimes unavoidable, particularly in divorces involving couples with children. For instance, child custody cannot be resolved via private mediation. You two can come up with a plan for a custody arrangement that both of you are comfortable with. You will nevertheless need to go in court to have the judge accept the plan and guarantee that it serves the children’s best interests.
There is no reason to view the divorce mediation process as a waste of time if you and your spouse come to a deadlock. Move on to the next part of your divorce and try to settle as much as you can before going to court if you reach a point where mediation is no longer an option.
If mediation doesn’t work, can we still go to court?
You can still take the matter to court if mediation fails and you are unable to come to a solution. If parties prefer to settle their differences through mediation before going to court, they do not waive their right to do so. It is crucial to keep in mind that this approach could end up costing significantly more, because you still have to cover the costs of both the litigation and the mediation processes. Additionally, since you lose control of the dispute once you start the legal process, you might have to pay much more in legal fees and the alternative dispute resolution might take longer to resolve.
Another thing to keep in mind is that everything said or done during mediation is kept private. This means that it cannot be used as evidence during discovery. Going to court would require the case to be reopened as if the mediation had never occurred.
It is useful to take into account the options between mediation and arbitration as well as between mediation and litigation. Instead of waiting for a judge or jury to render a verdict through litigation, mediation gives the opposing parties final say over the case’s resolution. As a result, the parties to the dispute are able to come up with a resolution that a judge might find difficult to come up with. Additionally, mediation is a confidential procedure; if both parties have a communication about the dispute and choose not to, they are under no obligation to divulge any details of the issue to the public. In general, every statement made during courtroom proceedings must be recorded for the record.
In contrast to arbitration, a mediator typically lacks the power to provide a ruling that is legally binding. It is up to the disputing party to work amiably toward a resolution on their own, with the divorce mediator’s aid. The contesting parties are heard by an arbitrator who serves as a court and makes a binding judgement. Arbitration, which resembles a court hearing, has long been used to settle business and labor conflicts. Many of the formalities connected with arbitration or court settings are absent from mediation.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Having the appropriate divorce attorney on your side will significantly impact your concerns, decisions, experience and the outcome of the process, regardless of how you decide to handle your divorce cases. Your divorce lawyer can guide you through the initial phases of divorce mediation by helping you with your financial disclosure, assisting with identifying your requirements and ideal outcomes for each matter related to your divorce rights, and physically representing you at mediation sessions.
Your lawyer can assist you in getting ready for the switch to litigation if you and your spouse reach a stage in mediation where you are unable to move the process further. However, if you have effectively established your divorce agreement through mediation, you do not need to worry as much about the time and money of litigation as you would if you had gone straight to court. Divorce litigation is often far more stressful and time-consuming than mediation.
Even if you and your husband get along well and want to see the mediation process through to a conclusion, some aspects of your divorce may need litigation. For instance, your lawyer can assist you in negotiating a parenting plan through mediation before submitting it to a family court judge for evaluation and approval if you need to decide on child custody (NRS 125A.045) and child support.
Additionally, keep in mind that owing to future changes in your life circumstances, you may need to review your divorce decree. If recent life events make it impossible or unreasonably onerous for them to continue adhering to the current terms of their family court order, a divorced person may revisit those terms and request reasonable revisions through the modification of the divorce process. For instance, if you have to pay child support and lose your work, you could ask for a reduced support amount until things get better financially.
Conclusion: Divorce Mediation
You can suggest mediation negotiations with your spouse if, after assessing the benefits and drawbacks, you believe it would be a suitable fit for your divorce. You will both need to consent to the mediation process and the divorce mediator in order to move further to the next step.
On the other hand, be aware that you are never obligated to mediate until the court demands it. And if you’re unsure, it might be worthwhile to spend the time and money consulting matters with a family law attorney to go over the particular disputes of your case, determine whether mediation is a good example for your divorce, and determine whether you might benefit from having a legal representation situation during mediation.
Looking for Legal Counsel for Las Vegas Divorce Mediation
Even if you and your spouse are willing to go through divorce mediation, it’s normal to be worried about the divorce process. The divorce lawyer at Donn W. Prokopius, Chtd. law firm have years of expertise guiding clients through the trickiest divorce problem and situations in Las Vegas , and we can use this knowledge to help you. We can assist you to relieve your stress and problems with your Divorce Mediation. If you’re getting ready to get divorced in Las Vegas and require trustworthy divorce attorneys and legal advice as mediation gets underway. To arrange a consultation and learn how our business and other services can support your divorce process, get in touch with us right now.
For more information on how https://dwp-law.com/ can help you on your Divorce Mediation, please contact us at (702) 474-0500, or visit us here:
6655 West Sahara avenue
Suite D220 (Building D)
Las Vegas, NV 89146