Blog: Family Law Mediation

1/16/25

Preserving co-parenting relationships through mediation

Divorce brings significant changes; parents must work together for their children’s well-being. Many parents now choose mediation instead of going to court. This path helps them stay calm and focused while making important decisions about their children’s future. What is divorce mediation? A mediator steps in as a fair guide to help parents make choices about custody and parenting plans. Unlike court battles, mediation lets parents stay in control of these vital choices. Parents learn...

12/17/24

Setting boundaries with your ex-spouse in Pennsylvania

Life after divorce can be challenging, especially when keeping an amicable relationship with your ex-spouse. Setting clear boundaries is one of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition. In Pennsylvania, setting these boundaries can help reduce arguments and create a more stable environment for everyone involved. Why boundaries matter Promote Stability: Protect your well-being: Help co-parenting: Steps to set boundaries To set reasonable boundaries with your ex-spouse, follow these steps: Communicate clearly: Be firm:...

4/23/24

How can mediation help divorcing couples?

Divorce can be a taxing and difficult process for couples. The two parties can face challenges and disputes that they may struggle to resolve independently. Mediation can be helpful if you want to make the process as peaceful as possible. In Pennsylvania, where 29,101 couples divorced in 2022 alone, the help of a mediator can be valuable. How mediation can help you With the help of a mediator, resolving disagreements can be more straightforward. However,...

10/3/23

Why is mediation not advisable for domestic violence victims?

These days, mediation is a rising trend in family law cases. Not only does it give parties more freedom and control over discussions, but it is usually faster and less expensive as well. Unfortunately, these benefits do not outweigh the possible drawbacks for parties from a relationship with a history of domestic violence. Fear and power imbalance Mediation is an approach that allows both parties to openly communicate and negotiate the terms of divorce or...

7/24/23

The right help is crucial to success during divorce ADR

There are many reasons that people thinking about divorce may want to pursue alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems instead of a litigated process. They may have young children who they want to shield from the acrimony that often develops in a litigated divorce. There could be deeply personal issues that one spouse or the other believes are relevant for the purposes of property division, support or custody matters. It could be concerns about the cost...

6/29/23

Is divorce arbitration the right choice for you?

It takes a lot of mental and emotional energy to get through a divorce while dealing with an ex-spouse. Many divorcing spouses want to avoid going to trial because of how time-consuming and stressful it can be. Arbitration is one way a divorcing couple can settle their divorce privately without going to court. How does divorce arbitration work? Many people want their divorce agreements to be finalized as soon as possible so they can move...

5/2/23

Understanding the benefits of ADR in resolving legal disputes

As the name suggests, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a way to resolve disputes outside traditional court proceedings. ADR First and foremost, ADR is often a cheaper and faster way of doing things compared to traditional litigation. It also offers parties to a dispute greater flexibility and control over the dispute resolution process and outcome. Lastly, those involved can potentially preserve good relations with other parties since it’s a less adversarial approach to resolving...

5/1/23

How does mediation work?

Many Pennsylvania couples considering divorce could benefit from mediation as part of the process. Mediation is a process that helps couples resolve their disagreements independently. This can help them avoid going to family court and having a judge determine what should happen with their children or their shared property. Even though mediation may mean attending an additional meeting and paying for another outside professional to assist their family, successful mediation can actually speed up the...

4/25/23

4 tips for a more efficient divorce mediation

How soon you can finalize your separation through traditional divorce often depends on the court’s calendars. A full court schedule might slow down your divorce. In comparison, divorce mediation depends on how much time you and your spouse can free up to negotiate asset division, child custody, and the other aspects of your separation. Because of this, it is possible to finalize everything within a shorter time through mediation than through traditional divorce. If you...

1/25/23

What is the difference between mediation and collaborative divorce?

Divorce in Pennsylvania can be an extremely tough process for all involved. The more a divorce drags on, the worse it tends to get for a family and their loved ones. Avoiding in-court divorce proceedings can help relieve some of this pressure and negativity. If both spouses want to find a middle ground and avoid litigation, there are two choices: mediation and collaborative divorce. The benefits of mediation The first alternative you can choose is...