Divorce can be a tumultuous experience, not just for the spouses involved but especially for any children caught in the middle. While the process of separation may bring relief to some, maintaining healthy relationships post-divorce is crucial for creating a stable environment for children and ensuring that ex-spouses can communicate effectively.
South Jersey Divorce Solutions explores how mediation and collaborative divorce foster healthy relationships that give former spouses better opportunities to co-parent and work together.
What Is Divorce Mediation?
Mediation is a valuable approach for resolving disputes outside of the court system. It involves the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator who facilitates discussions between spouses. This process provides an opportunity for the parties to openly address their issues and work towards mutually agreeable solutions. Your family law mediator plays a crucial role by engaging with both individuals to guide them in finding a resolution that benefits everyone, whether through joint discussions or separate meetings.
Melissa Fecak, Esq., is an experienced, trained mediator on the court roster for Rule 1:40 Post-MESP Economic Mediation. She is the President of the New Jersey Council of Collaborative Practice Groups and past president of both the South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals and Mid Jersey Collaborative Law Alliance.
What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce involves a written agreement that binds both parties to voluntary, non-adversarial, and flexible negotiations to achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution. Spouses have their own specially trained collaborative divorce attorneys to facilitate settlement discussions. Amicable outcomes for everyone concerned are reached in a cooperative environment.
Melissa Fecak, Esq., is an experienced collaborative divorce attorney who has practiced family law in New Jersey since 2000. She is the past President of the New Jersey Council of Collaborative Practice Groups and past president of both the South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals and Mid Jersey Collaborative Law Alliance.
How Do These Strategies Help Preserve Relationships After a Divorce?
Divorce mediation and collaborative divorce utilize many of the same effective strategies to prevent destructive tendencies during divorce negotiations, giving your family a better chance at a successful future.
- Prioritize Communication: Both approaches prioritize clear and respectful communication that ensures everyone’s concerns and heard and treated with respect.
- Focus on the Children: Mediation and collaborative divorce prioritize the children’s best interests in every discussion and goal.
- Learn to Let Go: Both of these divorce strategies help spouses to let the past stay in the past and move past grievances to focus on the present and future, especially when building co-parenting plans.
- Professional Support: Mediation and collaborative law solutions rely on specially trained and experienced legal professionals to guide both parties into workable resolutions for every problem.
- Maintain Respect and Civility: Your South Jersey Divorce Solutions mediator or collaborative law professional always demands that both parties avoid negative talk and exhibit respectful behavior.
Successfully Moving On After Divorce
Moving on after a divorce doesn’t mean severing ties completely. With intention and effort, ex-spouses can create a cooperative environment that fosters healthy relationships. Mediation and collaborative divorce are both approaches that set the stage for future communication and cooperation. Spouses practice prioritizing communication, establishing boundaries, focusing on the children, and maintaining respect to preserve meaningful connections post-divorce.
Embracing these behaviors supports better parenting and lays a strong foundation for future relationships— both within the family and beyond.
South Jersey Divorce Solutions
If you require further assistance or resources on navigating post-divorce challenges, South Jersey Divorce Solutions in Merchantville has professionals specializing in family dynamics. We provide significant legal support and guidance throughout divorce to rebuild relationships and preserve the best family dynamics possible for everyone involved.
To arrange your initial consultation with an experienced family law attorney, call our office in Merchantville at (856) 733-0229. You can also fill out our online contact form.