On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Monday, December 30, 2019.
January has the unfortunate connotation of being known as divorce month by some in the legal community. This is thought to be because of people looking at the new year as an opportunity for new beginnings and fresh starts. The decision to divorce may be a mutual one as couples who may have been married for many years realize they have grown apart. This can be particularly true for many older couples in Oklahoma whose children have grown and they may find they just don’t have much in common anymore.
While divorce can still be an emotional and painful process, there is no need for it to be as contentious as it once was. An option now exists that allows for more open communication between parties and allows for the possibility of a settlement without the time and expense of a prolonged court procedure. It is known as mediation and usually takes place largely outside of a court room.
A mediator will work in conjunction with the parties and their respective attorneys. The mediator is typically a neutral third party who is there to help move the process along. A session may include identification of issues that have not yet been resolved and an examination of the options available to resolve those issues. Open and honest communication between the parties can help to arrive at a settlement more quickly and more economically than is typically true of a litigated proceeding.
Mediation is not right for everyone. If there is reluctance to communicate, if one party is not willing to participate or if there is a history of abuse, mediation may not be an appropriate path. If divorce is in one’s future , consulting with a family law attorney in Oklahoma is usually an important first step.
