Not every California couple who decides to go their separate ways gets locked into a long, drawn-out court battle. In fact, many spouses use divorce mediation to negotiate child custody agreements, property division and more. There are a few things for parents to keep in mind to help avoid confrontation and successfully mediate their divorce.
A main goal of mediation is to reach a fair and comprehensive agreement. When the foundation of a custody plan is mutual respect between parents, it is easier to resolve differences to create an amicable agreement. One of the ways parents can work together is by agreeing to avoid making negative comments about each other in front of their children.
Scheduling is an important aspect of child custody agreements as well. When parents negotiate terms of a shared custody agreement, they must consider their work schedules and other daily obligations in conjunction with a willingness to compromise and cooperate to provide for their children’s needs. Mediation sessions aren’t about rehashing marital problems that may have led to the divorce, but about working together as a team to do what’s best for the children.
Divorce mediation is typically less expensive than litigation and also takes less time. California parents may customize a child custody plan, property division, child support and other terms of agreement to meet their family’s needs and to help them achieve a binding and comprehensive settlement. An experienced family law attorney can provide ongoing support to a concerned parent throughout the mediation process.