The divorce process can be long and drawn out, but mediation can help couples come to an agreement in a shorter amount of time. Mediation is a process where two parties meet with a mediator to try and reach an agreement on the terms of their divorce. This can be a faster and more affordable option than going to court.
Mediation sessions are handled in a confidential setting, and the mediator will help facilitate discussion between the two parties involved. The goal is to reach a marital settlement agreement/separation agreement that is fair for both sides.
The length of time it takes to complete mediation, however, depends on many factors. A divorce mediation work is based on your availability, the number of sessions needed, the complexity of your divorce, and some other things.
How Long Does A Typical Length of Divorce Without Mediator
As mentioned, the divorce process can be long and drawn out without mediation. But this depends on whether or not your case is a contested divorce or divorce that contains child custody, visitation, and support issues.
If you have an uncontested divorce, meaning you and your spouse agree on all the terms of the divorce, it can be as short as a few weeks up to three months. On the other hand, if your divorce is contested, meaning you and your spouse do not agree on all the terms of the divorce, it can take nine months to a year or more.
How Long Does a Divorce Take With Mediator in the Middle
For those who have a busy schedule and cannot commit to a long divorce process, or for those who want to try and resolve their differences amicably, mediation may be the best option. Four to six mediation sessions are the usual, although the number of sessions will depend on the complexity of your divorce. Every mediation session lasts for about two hours and one session per week is ideal. That means the divorce decree or the divorce process itself can be completed in less than three months when the parties sign the agreement.
Different Factors That Influence Divorce Mediation Process
Saving you the time visiting court appearances, divorce cases that undergo mediation can be completed in as fast as one to two weeks. However, the time it will take to complete your mediation process still depends on other factors, aside from the number of sessions needed.
1. You and Your Spouse’s Emotional State
The state of your relationship prior to mediation can have a significant impact on the process. If you and your spouse are interested in saving your marriage, then it is likely that you will have a more positive experience than if you are both emotionally distant or resentful toward each other.
Mediation is not a substitute for counseling, so if you feel there is no hope for reconciliation, then it might be best to wait until you are in a better place before trying out mediation.
2. How Well-Prepared You Are makes a difference
In general, the more prepared both parties are for the mediation process, the smoother it will go. You should both know what you want from the divorce and how much money you want from your spouse through alimony or property division.
If either party isn’t sure what they want from the divorce (or even if they’re unsure about whether or not they want one at all), then this can lead to unnecessary stress during the mediation process as well as make it more difficult for an expert mediator to help resolve any conflict between both parties as they try to determine what’s best for the couple.
3. How Complex Your Case Is
If you have a simple case, then it will be easier for the mediator to deal with it and complete the process more quickly than if it is complex.
The mediator needs to look at all the aspects of the case before he or she can come up with a reasonable solution for both parties involved in it. If there are too many details involved, then this may take more time than usual.
4. How Skilled Your Divorce Lawyer/Divorce Attorney/Divorce Mediator Is
A good lawyer will know how much time he or she will need to complete his task and make sure that everything goes according to plan so that both parties do not suffer any losses due to any mistakes made by him or during the process.
You should always choose someone who has experience in handling divorce cases as they will know what they are doing and how much time it will take for them to do their job.
5. Your Schedule and Availability
Another thing that impacts the divorce mediation process is your schedule and availability. You should be able to meet with your spouse at the same place at least once every week so that you can discuss any issues that you may have. This will also allow both parties to develop trust with each other so that they can work together on reaching an agreement regarding their divorce settlement.
The Bottom Line
With the many things that influence the divorce mediation process, you should be aware that it is not easy to achieve a settlement with your spouse. However, you can make the process easier by doing everything that you can to help yourself and your spouse achieve an agreement.
If you need help on how to prepare for divorce mediation or need help with the process, we can help at Win-Win Divorce Solutions. Our expert mediators are able to assist you with all of your needs.
