Your divorce is over and done with, but you and your ex still have disagreements that are making co-parenting a nightmare. Understandably, you want to resolve your disputes to reduce your stress, as well as keep the issues from hurting your kids. Does this mean you have to take your ex back to court? Fortunately for you and other Indiana residents, there are ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to litigation.
You look back on your litigated divorce as one of the most stressful times of your life. Not only was it expensive and it seemed to take forever, but your children were heartbroken and worried, and you felt like the judge did not have anyone’s best interests in mind with the decisions made. If you could do it all over again, you would have chosen mediation instead of going to court. As you are aware, mediation involves anywhere from one to several sessions with your spouse and a mediator. During mediation sessions, you will try to find solutions to your disputes, sometimes with the assistance of the mediator. The mediator will also keep the conflict from becoming too heated.
Can I return to the family law process to resolve my current disputes through mediation, you wonder? The answer is yes – mediation may be helpful with numerous issues, including the following:
- Important decisions regarding your children, such as education or medical care
- Co-parenting or visitation schedules that you disagree on or which you need to update as your children get older
- Differences in opinion on parenting styles and discipline
- Inability to agree on issues that the court decided but circumstances changed, such as whether to divide property you were awarded but decided to sell
Taking your disputes to mediation, rather than going back to court, may save you a significant amount of money, time and hassle. It is important to carefully weigh your options before making a decision.