Online divorce mediation has become a common practice, much like connecting with family and friends through platforms such as Facetime and Skype. Professionals regularly use platforms like GoToMeeting and Zoom for business meetings in their daily lives. Given this familiarity with online communication, divorcing spouses are finding online mediation to be a convenient and, at times, an essential solution for their divorce mediation process
It is true that in-person, face-to-face mediation provides certain unique benefits that online family mediation may not fully realize. When people meet together in person, the more personal experience can advance more meaningful communication and a better understanding of the issues. This can lead to highly thoughtful agreements in mediation.
Is online divorce mediation suitable?
The mediator benefits from sensing body language, tone, and dynamics in face-to-face divorce mediation that may be less known during online divorce mediation. Spouses benefit from sensing these things from one another, as sometimes both can be important when negotiating agreements. Still, many can benefit using online mediation, and this approach can be quite effective.
Who can use online divorce mediation?
Busy professionals who have opposite or conflicting work schedules can use online mediation privately from any location and avoid the need to take time off. Busy parents who have difficulty arranging child care can also benefit.
Divorcing spouses often live in different cities or different states, making travel to in-person mediation very challenging or even impossible. Spouses also may live in a remote area, making travel to a mediator challenging. Health issues or disabilities may also be reasons that point to online mediation as a solution.
Online divorce mediation is simple and very efficient. A computer and internet connection are basically all that is necessary. Some may take comfort in the convenience of participating from home rather than traveling to the mediator’s office.
Benefits of online divorce mediation
The benefits of divorce mediation are all still present when mediation is accomplished online. Spouses stay in complete control of their own divorce terms. They never set foot in a courtroom. The process is entirely confidential. Mediation confidentiality is protected.
Mediation is generally 80-90% less expensive than litigation in court. Online divorce mediation takes 2-4 months before divorce is finalized, compared to 1 year or more in litigation. Mediation lowers conflict, and this lowers stress for spouses and their children. Children’s well-being is protected when parents avoid a custody battle. Parents can move on to a healthy co-parenting relationship.
Consider discussing the advantages of divorce mediation with your spouse or sharing the information with a friend in need. The online divorce mediation option may give spouses who prefer mediation the opportunity to avoid a court battle and choose a more peaceful divorce.
