By Erin M. Idler, Attorney & Mediator
As a divorce lawyer for over 30 years, I have too often seen children become pawns in a divorce or witness endless and damaging conflict.
As a parent, you have a choice!
If you have children and are considering divorce, you should consider mediation. In the mediation process, you work with a child specialist who will help you create a family plan focused on the well-being of your children along with a neutral lawyer who will help you navigate financial and legal issues, including the necessary steps of the court process.
Here are five reasons why mediation is better for your children:
You Work Together
While family law litigation emphasizes conflict, mediation emphasizes education and communication to help you create mutual solutions focused on the needs and interests of your children.
You Control the Outcome
You decide what decisions and placement plan is best for your children rather than turning decision-making over to a judge.
You Keep the Children at the Center
NOT as a rope in a tug of war. Your joint goal is a co-parenting agreement and healthy family plan that avoids having your children feel caught in conflict or having to choose between parents.
You Reduce Cost
Preserve your financial and emotional resources for your family. Using a child specialist and one neutral lawyer allows you to obtain expertise and guidance from skilled professionals rather than using the experts and attorneys as expensive weapons in a war.
You Restructure Rather Than End Your Family
Mediation helps you realize the impact of your divorce actions on the future development and long-term emotional health and well-being of your children.
Your parental behavior and decisions during divorce will impact your family relationships for a lifetime-be sure you choose wisely