How to choose the right mediator for your divorce case

Divorce can be costly and distressing when the process happens through litigation. In a litigation situation the two parties, each represented by their own attorney, end up in court fighting over everything from how the finances should be split to custody agreements. Fortunately, there are several other divorce options that take a smaller toll on your wallet and your emotions. An uncontested divorce can occur outside of court through a much easier process like mediation.

Choosing mediation entails enlisting the services of a qualified third party who will sit down with you and your spouse and help you work through a fair and equitable settlement. Finding a mediator is a bit more complicated than simply googling the term. You’ll need to know what to look for, such as experience, training, and knowledge. The right person will be someone both you and your spouse are comfortable with as well.

Putting Your Best Interests First

A good amicable divorce mediator must have excellent communication skills, a good team to assist with properly guiding a couple through the process and be very well-versed in divorce law. Even the most easy-going divorce can become contentious when communications break down. Understanding the ins and outs of the law allows a good mediator to offer salient legal advice to both of you as you proceed through the divorce process. A good question to ask your mediation attorney or service is how the situation will be handled if negotiations break down. 

Clearly understanding who your mediator or mediation service is and how your case will be handled and by whom is crucial. You don’t want to be the first test case for the mediator you choose, nor do you want a non-practicing family law attorney to handle your mediation. Sometimes, paralegals will claim they can mediate your case, but they cannot, nor do they have the legal expertise to do so or the legal authority to give divorce advice.  So, make sure to ask about your mediator’s experience, understand the process and know what the plan is should aspects of your case become contentious. Speak with folks who have used the mediator themselves and can give you a clear idea of what they’re like to work with and their professional capabilities. Securing a good recommendation means a lot in such a crowded field. How crowded is it? Googling “divorce mediators in Orange County” turns up over 340,000 results.

Keeping it Simple

The benefits of divorce mediation are clear. It’s easier on the family, takes less time, and isn’t nearly as big of a financial hit as choosing to go with litigation. But with the large volume of professionals offering their services, how do you know how to choose the right mediator for your divorce?

Start with personal recommendations and then do a side-by-side comparison, taking cost, experience and success rate into account. In addition, look at the services they’ll be able to provide you and explore how contentious situations might be handled. Look for a one-stop-shop such as Green Giraffe Legal Services.  You want a mediation service that has professional relationships with a variety of services you might need throughout your divorce.  Complex issues like separate property claims, dividing retirement accounts or child custody issues might need a professional such as a forensic accountant, an ERISA attorney or other professionals to collaboratively assist at reaching the end goal.  At Green Giraffe Legal, we are a division of The Buncher Law Corporation run by our senior partner, Sven Buncher, who is a certified family law specialist with 25 years of legal experience.  We have successfully helped a multitude of clients stay out of the courthouse and mediate their divorces.