Six Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Divorce Mediator
Finding A Divorce Mediator In The South Bay
Once you and your spouse have agreed to handle your divorce through mediation, you have to decide which mediator to use. Choosing the right mediator to guide you through your divorce is one of the most important decisions you?ll make. Take some time to do research. You want a mediator who has experience with divorce mediation, family mediation, and child custody mediation if you have kids.
Here are six questions to ask a divorce mediator before moving forward.
1. How much experience do you have?
Experience is important when it comes to mediation. Ask your mediator about their track record. While years of experience is important, you want to be sure that they have a proven track record of success settling divorces through mediation.
2. What are your credentials and/or professional certifications?
Divorce can be complicated. You want to make sure you work with a mediator who not only has experience but also has all of the right credentials. Ask your mediator to provide you with a list of their professional certifications and credentials.
3. Why did you become a mediator?
A mediator?s response to this question can disclose a lot about whether they?re passionate for their job. It can also reveal a lot about their personality and work ethic. If you?re curious about the amount of effort they will put toward your case, ask this question.
4. What is your mediation strategy?
Every mediator works in a different way. It?s often said that there are two distinct kinds of mediators: evaluators and facilitators. Ask your mediator how they like to promote communication between parties. Will your mediator refrain from expressing their opinion of the case? Will they offer their opinion on merits of positions? Will your mediator use both styles to help facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution?
5. How do you feel about consulting attorneys or outside experts?
Some divorce mediation circumstances might warrant an opinion by an outside expert or consultant. Attorneys may need to be called upon to help provide legal insights. Or a family or child therapist may be valuable in a child custody mediation situation. In addition to your mediator, the team at South Bay Mediation offers a diverse level of expertise ready to help when needed.
6. How much will divorce mediation cost?
Before you commit to resolving your divorce through mediation, it?s important to know how much it will cost. If you are aware of the costs upfront, including any legal or filing costs, you will be able to prepare your budget to ensure you aren?t caught off guard later on in the mediation process. At South Bay Mediation, your first consultation is free. After you decide to move forward with mediation services, our team will outline all of the services needed to complete your divorce and have your settlement filed.
Eric Piety, MA: Experienced Divorce Mediator
If you?re looking for a mediator to help you make sense of your divorce, turn to South Bay Mediation and Eric Piety. Having experienced a divorce himself, Eric understands how trying a divorce battle can be. His goal is to provide soon-to-be divorced couples with the ability to solve their differences and stay on good terms with each other. With over 20 years of experience de-escalating conflict, Eric will help you get to an agreement that meets your family?s needs, interests, and values.