If you’re looking for a San Ramon divorce attorney, you might be wondering if you should try mediation first. While it can certainly be a more peaceful alternative for anyone facing an unpleasant legal dispute, let’s consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of Tri Valley mediation before you make up your mind. Reviewing the pros and cons will help you come to the best decision.
Top Advantages of Mediation
Cost Differences
Any San Ramon divorce lawyer can confirm that one of the top benefits of mediation is that it’s less expensive than going to trial to settle your legal differences. Mediation is an aspect of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Essentially, ADR includes ways of handling conflict outside of the courtroom. Things like negotiation fall under this broad umbrella.
Reaching a Resolution
In general, it also takes less time to reach an agreement through mediation. This is often the case when people come together with a real desire to find a solution that works for both of them. Mediation can be less about winning and more about finding a way forward with compromise and patience. Though that doesn’t mean it’s easy, you are likely to come to a resolution much faster than if you chose a path toward litigation.
Outcomes
Another thing to keep in mind before you hire a San Ramon divorce lawyer is that mediation can also give you (and your soon-to-be former spouse) control over the final outcome of your situation. For some people it really will be necessary to resolve their differences in court, but just know that the final outcome is then in the hands of a judge.
The mediator has an impartial role to play, but they are present to help move the conversation forward and ensure that discussions remain civil. This is beneficial if communicating with your ex tends to quickly escalate into toxic patterns, like blame and name calling.
Disadvantages of Mediation
There’s No Guarantee
One of the downsides to mediation is that there’s no guarantee you’ll actually reach an agreement. If you have a particularly contentious relationship with your ex, mediation may not be a viable solution to your conflict. You have to decide if it’s worth taking the risk. If both people aren’t invested in cooperating, you’ll end up right back where you began—searching for a San Ramon divorce attorney.
Making Hasty Decisions
There’s also a downside to how much faster decision-making can move during the mediation process. Without the support of an experienced attorney, you could find yourself agreeing to things that aren’t really fair or in your favor. Bear in mind that a mediator isn’t there to offer you legal guidance. This is an important distinction. The mediator is a neutral who is not looking out for your best interests. It’s always a good idea to have an attorney on your side to consult with before you agree to anything in mediation.
Talk to a San Ramon Divorce Attorney
If you’re still not sure which option is right for your situation, contact us at Whipple, Mercado & Associates by calling 925-344-5050. We’re here to help you make the right choice. You can also schedule a free consultation online today.