Friday, May 2, 2014

Undecided Whether to Reconcile or Divorce? A Family Law Attorney/Mediator Can Help You Decide. by Robin Seigle

HuffingtonPost.com has many good articles relating to divorce, separation and related topics.  Today one of the articles posted talked  about whether it is better to consult with a Marriage Counselor or a Divorce Lawyer if you are undecided about reconciling or divorcing.  Address to article is below:



I have another suggestion:  See a family law attorney/mediator.  Both parties see the attorney/mediator together.  The mediator is neutral about the outcome and provides legal and practical information to give the couple an idea about what their lives would be like if they separated or divorced.  Sometimes just gathering that information is enough to lead a couple to either give counseling another shot or decide to proceed with the divorce.

The goal of mediation is to help the parties reach a mutual decision about what they are going to do.  The attorney/mediator has the legal knowledge and expertise, as well as practical experience, with  divorce or legal separation to help the parties see their options realistically.

Marriage counselors help the couple deal with the emotional aspects of their decision to reconcile or divorce; divorce lawyers advise the parties individually about what might be "best" for them legally.  The mediator helps them look at their own and the other party’s  perspectives and work cooperatively, not necessarily happily, toward a joint decision.   It is much less stressful for the couple, and their children, if they make these very important decisions together and not rely on others who don't know them (attorneys, judges, etc.) or their children, to decide for them.