When couples decide to split, the decision they take can often have far-reaching effects. Hence, it is important that people choose the right method to get divorced. The easiest and most popular method of getting divorced is through divorce mediation. This is a method where the spouses are empowered to come to terms with one another and resolve the divorce issue themselves.
Despite it being a fast, empowered, stress free and conflict free way of getting divorced, sometimes, even divorce mediation can fail. This blog outlines the 3 reasons why it can fail, so that you can avoid them and make your divorce mediation a success.
Expectations Not Matching Reality
People to people contact, the internet and other online resources have a number of different advantages, but one disadvantage of the process can be the spreading of misinformation. Some of the spouses that come for Orange County divorce mediation have a belief that everything that their spouse has is theirs. When spouses have such unrealistic expectations, it is hard to negotiate with them because they want the other spouse to merely accept what is being offered or risk losing all of it in a litigated divorce.
Despite the fact that their belief is wrong, these spouses and their sky high expectations can decrease the chances of a meaningful conversation and a resolution.
Engaging in Good Faith Negotiation
The key to success in Orange County divorce mediation is having good faith during negotiations. This is not a game of chess or a game of hearts where you keep your cards and your moves close to your chest. For mediation to work, the spouses need to trust one another and should outline all of their options on the table. Inability to do so can result in a breakdown of negotiations.
A good faith negotiation is where both of the spouses feel willing to negotiate and provide true, relevant information beforehand. Lying, keeping information and assets hidden can be taken in bad faith and might ultimately lead to a failure of the mediation process.
Trying to Use Mediation as a Way of Mending Broken Bridges
There are some spouses who enter mediation, not with the goal of having a peaceful resolution to their divorce process, but instead to salvage their marriage. These spouses believe that unlike a litigated divorce, the pace of this divorce can be dictated. Hence, they try and slow the pace down only to buy time to salvage a relation.
This is often the wrong approach to take, since once another spouse has decided to take such a big step of ending the relation, there is a minute chance if any, of them going back on their word and the only thing delaying mediation achieves, is getting the two embroiled in a bitter litigated divorce.
Gerald A. Maggio is an experienced Orange County divorce and family law attorney and family law attorney located in Irvine, California, serving the Orange County and Riverside areas. Mr. Maggio assists clients with legal issues including divorce, legal separation, divorce mediation, child custody, prenuptial agreements, stepparent adoptions, and other family law issues. Mr. Maggio has practiced law in California since 1999, and founded The Maggio Law Firm in 2005, focusing exclusively on divorce and family law matters.
