Mediation can be a wedded couple's dream if they wish to end things on amicable terms, keep things copacetic between the two parties, and wish to keep legal involvement to a bare minimum. Having said that, due to the fact that divorce mediation is not as regularly practiced as going to court, many people have latched on to a number of falsehoods and myths concerning mediation. This article aims to prove these statements wrong.
You Will Have To Convince The Mediator to "Be On Your Side"
Nothing is further from the truth and this myth has likely arisen in circles where divorce is a topic of conversation due to the confusion between an arbitrator and a mediator. An arbitrator, unlike a mediator, makes a binding legal decision on how to split assets, custody of the children, etc. A mediator, on the other hand, makes no legally binding decisions. He or she simply aims to get both parties to see eye to eye such that they do not have to enter a lengthy court battle. In other words, a mediator aims to provide you with legally sound advice while also paying attention to the emotional states of both sides, but cannot provide a legally binding decision regarding any facet of the divorce.
Only Specific Professions Can Mediate
Most mediators are either attorneys or former judges. However, there is no specific requirement for becoming a mediator. There are a number of other professions that are well suited to divorce mediation and some of them lie outside of the field of legal professionals. Many times, a mediator will be someone who works within the field of mental health. Numerous counselors and psychiatrists have found that they can make a solid living as a divorce mediator.
A Mediator's Gender Makes Them Biased
A number of people are under the assumption that a mediator's gender makes them quite biased. For example, there is a widespread belief that if the mediator is a woman, she is more likely to side with the wife in such situations. This is not the case. A mediator is trained to be neutral during such proceedings and cannot legally meet with one party outside of mediation meetings. This allows for a greater deal of transparency between both parties and the mediator him- or herself.
Mediation is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to divorce court. Is mediation right for you? Make sure to rid yourself of any myths or pre-existing beliefs you have about mediation, since a good number of them could turn out to be false. Contact a lawyer, like http://www.reneerlaw.com, to learn more.