What Are the Advantages of Mediation if You Have Kids?

 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Child Custody / Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

The news of a divorce can be distressing for your child, but engaging in arguments and conflicts with your spouse can be more unsettling for them. If you use mediation instead of confrontations in the long run, it is better for your child's well-being. Research indicates that children who do better after a divorce have parents who communicate and compromise without getting into fights. If you believe you and your spouse can have a civil discussion, a skilled Illinois mediation attorney can try to help.

How Can Mediation Reduce Turmoil?

Mediation involves using a neutral third party to assist parents in resolving custody-related issues. A mediator, often an attorney, looks at all the pieces involving the divorce. Engaging in a bitter custody battle can be emotionally traumatizing for a child, but when children witness their parents communicating and finding common ground, it can mitigate the emotional turmoil they experience. So, even if you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse do not see eye to eye, an experienced mediator can guide you back on track and ensure that discussions are less stressful.

Can Mediation Lead to Easier Co-Parenting Plans?

Mediation gives parents important skills, such as effective communication, flexibility, and negotiation abilities. It is essential for both parents to play an active role in their child's life and learn how to compromise for the child's sake.

Researchers have compared the effects of mediation to litigation in child custody cases. They found that twelve years after a divorce, mediation encourages both parents to stay involved in their children's lives without increasing conflict. It also found that parents who do not live with their children were three times more likely to have weekly contact with their children compared to parents who went through a court battle. 

Mediation allows both parents to discuss their parenting plans while a mediator helps them reach agreements. This is important because if a judge has to make the decision, he or she may not consider unique family circumstances or holidays. Mediation gives parents more control over the decision-making process. And parents are more likely to follow through if they collaborate on a plan for raising their children post-divorce.

Schedule A Free Consultation With A St. Charles, IL Mediation Lawyer

If you have children and are going through a divorce in Illinois, it is advisable to consider the services of a skilled mediation lawyer at Shaw Sanders, P.C.. An experienced Kane County, IL mediation attorney we can assist parents in creating a custody and child support arrangement that makes co-parenting effective. Contact us at 630-584-5550 for a free consultation.