Another Benefit of Divorce Mediation is Keeping Friends and Family

For readers of the Equitable Mediation Services blog you’ve seen me outline the benefits of using mediation for divorce such as a less stressful process, significantly lower cost and much better outcomes for your children but did you know there are other benefits to using a NJ divorce mediator that may not be apparent right away?  Take for example the friendships you have developed with each others families and other couples.  If you were to have a nasty, attorney driven divorce where each of you acted in a shall we say “less than polite manner” these people are going to have to make an uncomfortable choice given that individuals behavior during the divorce.   But if you were to use a mediation service to handle your divorce and were able to keep things friendly, then the ability to remain friends with you ex’s family and the friends you made as a couple will be much easier.  So why would you do this?

1. Your children – you’re still going to be mom and dad after the divorce and so whether you like it or not, you’re going to have to spend significant time with each other (and your extended families) at various events such as birthday parties and graduations where the focus needs to be on the kids and not on the tension between the two of you.  You’re also going to need to be able to communicate as you coordinate schedules to take your daughter or son to the soccer game, dance class, karate practice or school play.  Think about it:  if you have a child together do you really think you’re not going to see you ex-spouses friends or family ever again?  Use a NJ divorce mediator to keep your divorce on track and as focused on your children as possible.
2. Your mental health – they say a divorce is second in stress only to the death of a loved one and so when going through something as painful as a divorce, you’re going to need all the support you can get.  Given that you’ve probably developed great relationships with your spouses family over the years, now more than even you’re both going to need the support of your friends and families and by engaging in a bitter divorce fight, you’re only going to cause people to have to choose sides.  If you use mediation for divorce then you’re going to have a much better chance of remaining friendly and in turn, allow your friends and family to avoid the unpleasant decision of having to choose sides which given the recent divorces in my circle of friends and family has only reinforced how critical this last part is.

If you have any questions about divorce mediation in NJ using mediation for divorce or how hiring a NJ divorce mediator can benefit you, please feel free to contact Equitable Mediation Services to schedule a consultation in one of our Northern or Central New Jersey office locations.  Or feel free to visit the Equitable Mediation Services website where you’ll find lots of great information about parenting plans, equitable distribution, NJ child support and spousal support / alimony and contact us when you’re ready.