How Mediation Can Be Beneficial For Co-Parenting Disputes In Tennessee

In this article, you can discover…

• How mediation can benefit parents in co-parenting disputes.
• Whose interests are at the heart of mediation conversations.
• How mediation can help you avoid ongoing conflicts in the future.

How Does Mediation Work During Co-Parenting Disputes?

Mediation involves meeting with a disinterested third party who can interface between disputing parties to find a common ground. Under Tennessee law, any changes to a parenting plan after its initial inception require both parties to go to mediation in order to limit strain on the court system.

Personally, I find that mediation can be very effective at saving both time and money by avoiding extensive litigation. I typically tell my clients that mediation is your last opportunity to make a decision before someone in a black robe does it for you. This opportunity empowers you to work together to develop a co-parenting arrangement that can be agreed to by both parties.

How Can Mediation Reduce Conflict Compared To Litigation?

Primarily, mediation encourages direct and honest communication between both parties. This allows both you and the other parent to decide for yourselves what you think is best for your children and cooperate with each other to create a plan. Mediation is also commonly less formal than court proceedings, generally lending itself to a more relaxed environment with less adversarial elements.

Attorney Robert Maines is a seasoned lawyer based in Sweetwater, TN who has helped countless clients just like you navigate the intricacies of co-parenting disputes. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Robert is prepared to assist you in determining whether mediation is right for you so that you can settle your custody dispute and move forward with peace of mind.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Maines Legal today to schedule an initial consultation.

Whose Interests Are Prioritized During Mediation?

During the mediation process, the mediator will focus on what is in the best interests of your children. This makes matters less about the conflict between yourself and the other parent, and more about finding an outcome that betters the lives of the children. Quite simply put, the priority during mediation is the interests of the children, not the feelings of the parents.

Can Mediation Prevent Future Disputes Between Myself And The Other Party?

While there is no miracle cure that will eliminate future disputes, mediation is helpful for preventing disputes because of its problem-solving nature. When you work with a mediator, you are encouraged to come up with creative solutions through teamwork that ultimately will create an outcome that you can both agree on. The hope is that working together through mediation will actually strengthen the relationship between parents and help to mitigate future disputes.

How Previously Skeptical Clients Have Found Mediation Beneficial

I have worked with parents that thought they would by no means be able to come to an agreement with the other party simply based on their history together. Some of my clients will even come into mediation knowing that they will not get anywhere and say that the other party will simply have to be told by a judge what is happening.

These occurrences are uncommon however, as mediation is generally about reaching peaceful agreements. Mediation can be very wrought with emotions, as you are determining your children’s futures with a great deal of personal investment. The general saying is that if both parties feel like they’ve lost something, the mediation was successful.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on Mediation For Co-Parenting Disputes In Tennessee, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (423) 456-4778 today.