At Schaffner Family Law, we understand that divorce isn’t just a legal matter—it is a deeply personal experience, especially when children are involved. Families in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati trust us to provide a steady hand and thoughtful guidance through these difficult transitions.
One of the options we’re proud to offer is mediation.
Mediation is an approach that can significantly reduce conflict while fostering a healthier future for your family. Divorce does not have to turn into a battle, and mediation is one way to ensure it doesn’t.
Mediation Process Overview
Mediation is a process focused on settling a case outside of the courtroom. The goal is to find solutions that work for everyone involved while simultaneously avoiding litigation.
While traditional litigation often turns parents against one another, mediation encourages parties to cooperate with a neutral third party—the mediator—to discuss and resolve issues outside of court. You and your spouse maintain control over the decisions that will affect your family instead of leaving those choices up to a judge. During a mediation session, the mediator helps facilitate productive conversations, guiding you and your spouse toward agreements while prioritizing your children’s needs.
Benefits of Mediation for Children
Divorce is hard on children, but mediation offers a way to ease the emotional and practical challenges they might face. Here’s how:
Reduced Conflict and Emotional Stress
Mediation minimizes the “us vs. them” mentality that often comes with court battles. By working together to resolve issues, parents can reduce tension and keep their focus on what is best for their children.
Children are highly sensitive to conflict. Studies show that children’s exposure to parental disputes can lead to anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. With mediation, you can shield your children from unnecessary stress, providing them with a more peaceful transition to a new lifestyle.
Child-Centered Decision Making
Mediation keeps your children’s needs front and center. Unlike a courtroom, where decisions are often made based on rigid legal frameworks and statutory guidelines, mediation allows parents to craft flexible solutions tailored to their family’s particular circumstances, goals, and needs.
Improved Co-Parenting Relationships
Your relationship with your co-parent doesn’t end when the divorce is finalized. It is the beginning of a new chapter—one where collaboration is essential for your children’s wellbeing.
Mediation encourages healthier communication between parents. By focusing on problem-solving, both sides can establish a more cooperative co-parenting dynamic. This leads to a more stable, supportive environment for children.
Faster Resolution and Reduced Stress
Divorce cases that go to court can drag on for months, and sometimes even years. A 2019 survey conducted by Martindale-Nolo Research revealed that while the average divorce takes about a year to finalize, timelines vary widely depending on the complexity of the case. Nearly 40% of the surveyed Respondents finalized their divorce within six months, while over 13% endured a process lasting more than two years, often exceeding 30 months.
The duration is primarily influenced by the number of contested issues, such as child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and property division, and whether disputes are resolved through negotiation or proceed to trial.
Mediation, on the other hand, is typically a much quicker process. This means less disruption to your children’s daily lives and a faster return to a sense of normalcy.
A shorter timeline also means fewer legal fees, which can take financial pressure off your family. And let’s face it—less time in limbo means less stress for everyone involved.
Financial Benefits
Mediation is often significantly less expensive than litigation. The money you save can be redirected toward the things that matter to you, like your children’s education, extracurricular activities, or even therapy to help them process the changes in their family.
Instead of draining resources on a lengthy legal battle, mediation allows you to focus on building a secure financial future for your children.
Empowering Parents and Children
One of the most rewarding aspects of mediation is the sense of control it provides parents. Rather than leaving critical decisions up to a judge, you and your co-parent have the opportunity to shape the agreements that will define your family’s future.
This empowerment extends to your children, too. When parents approach divorce with a cooperative mindset, their children often feel more secure. They are less likely to view themselves as caught in the middle and more likely to see that their parents are working together for their benefit.
Facing Divorce and Looking for Mediation? Contact Schaffner Family Law Today.
At Schaffner Family Law, we know how important it is to protect your children’s wellbeing during a divorce. Mediation is just one of the ways we help families find a path forward that cultivates peace while remaining focused on the best interests of your children.
Whether you are looking to hire a neutral mediator to help you and your spouse reach a resolution or would prefer to work with an attorney who can guide you through the mediation process, we are here to support you. Call us today at (859) 577-7552 or use our online form to schedule a paid, one-hour consultation with one of our licensed attorneys to explore the best path forward for your family.