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What is a mediator’s job in divorce?

On Behalf of | Dec 1, 2022 | Family Law

When going through divorce mediation, you will spend a lot of time leaning on the mediator.

To that end, it is important to understand exactly what a mediator does, what they cannot do, and what their overarching role in your divorce is.

Providing useful opinions

Survive Divorce discusses the role divorce mediators play. First, understand that mediators are not here to tell you what to do. They cannot force you or your spouse into a situation you do not agree with, and they cannot make any legal rulings.

They are here to act as referees as you and your spouse work through major divorce points on your own. They can provide insight and opinions, which are valuable as they come from a unique third-party perspective. This is one of their primary capabilities.

De-escalating arguments

On top of that, mediators have training in de-escalation techniques and are trained to help people get through arguments as easily as possible. This means they can step in when they sense things are starting to go in a bad direction or get out of hand, and they can use their training to bring everyone back down to a level-headed and calm place.

Mediators cannot stop arguments entirely, though, nor are they a guarantee that arguments will not happen during the divorce process at all. This is a three-party situation, and all three parties can alter the course of any discussion.

Mediation does not work for everyone, but going into it understanding what a mediator can actually provide will help you make a better decision.