Divorce Mediation in Marietta

What Is Mediation?

Mediation, also referred to as "alternative dispute resolution," is an increasingly common approach to achieving a final settlement in a divorce. While divorce is a legal action which cannot be completed without going through the court, it is still fundamentally a personal matter between two people, as they work to separate their financial affairs, make plans for the future of their children and bring an end to a chapter in their lives.

The Cobb County Superior Court has one of the largest court-annexed mediation programs throughout the state, so if you and your spouse bring a contested divorce to the court, there is a good chance that you will be referred to a mediator for assistance in resolving the issues involved in the dissolution of your marriage.

Is Mediation Right for Me?

The couples who do best in mediation are those who are capable of constructive and respectful communication with one another, and who are both sincerely dedicated to achieving a settlement which is in the best interests of both parties, rather than in taking an adversarial approach.

The Superior Court reports that domestic mediation has a settlement rate of 69% in our area, so not every mediated divorce is finalized without resorting to litigation. If, however, you and your spouse are committed to carrying out an uncontested divorce, this is likely a viable option.

Mediation Can Be Used to Resolve Modifications

While modifications to child support, custody, visitation, and other divorce arrangements must be sanctioned by a court, this does not mean it can be a collaborative, mutual process. Parents can use mediation to negotiate the terms of a modification to ensure that the order is fair for all parties involved. This can save extra time, trouble, and expenses when a modification petition is contested or turned down as a result of hasty preparation. Our divorce attorneys in Marietta may use mediation not only to help spouses through divorce negotiations, but also with modifications to divorce agreements.

Learn more about modifications. If you are ready to find solutions, call 888-896-1973!

What Are the Advantages of Mediation?

In mediation, you and your spouse will not each have an attorney-rather, a Marietta divorce lawyer from Henrickson & Sereebutra will act as a neutral third party, representing neither of you but serving both your best interests equally. The attorney works to facilitate discussion and negotiations, as well as ensuring that all relevant legal matters are addressed.

It is a private action, so you will not be forced to expose your private affairs in court, and will not have the intervention of the judge. Instead, you and your spouse will be in control of the process, and will have a far better chance of reaching mutually beneficial decisions regarding property division, spousal support, child custody and child support.

If you are interested in divorce mediation, contact a Marietta divorce attorney from our firm today. We can review your case for free!