Child Custody Mediation
Legal battles after a divorce can be emotionally fraught and costly, but they don’t have to be. Some couples are able to reach agreements amicably despite initial disputes. One way to facilitate this is divorce mediation to reach a compromise outside of court. The Law Offices of Jeffrey W. Goldblatt has helped numerous East Brunswick, NJ divorced couples resolve disagreements through mediation.
We’d like to discuss the mediation process with regard to child custody disputes. Opting for mediation rather than a court battle has many important advantages that divorced parents should consider.
What Is Mediation?
Mediation is a process in which a lengthy court battle can be avoided by seeking the aid of an experienced third-party to find common ground. The mediator will help former spouses resolve their differences, compromise, and come up with a mutually agreeable solution for their child custody disagreements.
The mediator’s job in a child custody dispute is not to advise one side or offer advice but rather to facilitate a productive dialogue between the two parents. Once an agreement that both parents can live with is reached, it can then be presented to a judge and approved.
Why Consider Mediation Rather Than a Court Battle?
Mediation for a child custody disagreement has a number of advantages over bringing your disputes to court.
- Saves Times Compared to a Court Battle - Mediation takes far less time than a courtroom battle, which means issues can be resolved in a week or so, and sometimes even less. By comparison, court battles can last months.
- Less Expensive Than Going to Court - Since mediation takes less time than a court battle, it’s also a far less expensive option when it comes to resolving legal disputes.
- Avoids Stress and Psychological Toll - Mediation aims to resolve conflicts and find common ground, which translates into a less stressful and more welcoming exchange of ideas rather than a combative series of exchanges.
- Allows for Conflict-Free Co-Parenting - Thanks to mediation, conflicts are less likely to arise while co-parenting. The process indicates that while the parents may occasionally disagree, they are in this together for the good of their children.
This is why our East Brunswick law firm often recommends seeking mediation services when possible and when divorced spouses are amenable to the idea.
A Focus on the Best Interests of Your Child
Ultimately, mediation places an emphasis on the best interests of your child. Having a third party present who is trying to be as objective as possible helps put the best interests of your child in perspective. This is one of the key advantages of a non-adversarial approach to resolving your issues.
What If Mediation Doesn’t Work?
If mediation does not work, you can then proceed to a court battle so a judge can make a decision about child custody.
Generally speaking, however, most couples who seek mediation are able to work out their disagreements with the aid of the mediator. Parents entering mediation is usually a sign that compromise is possible, and that both parties want to do what’s best for their children.
Learn More About Child Custody
For more information about mediation services and your options in child custody disputes, be sure to contact a skilled family law attorney. The team at the Law Offices of Jeffrey W. Goldblatt is here to help. You can reach us by phone in East Brunswick at (732) 238-8700.
