Mediate.com Helps Divorcing Couples Resolve and Learn From Conflicts

Share:

Originally published at datingadvice.com

In the US, a divorce occurs every 13 seconds, and separations affect 50% of all marriages. Divorce can be one of the most stressful events in one’s life, and, with disputes over custody, child support, and asset division, tempers can flare and lead to an even more painful experience for all involved. Many think arbitration and litigation are the only routes to solving differences of opinion while in the midst of a divorce. However, mediation can be one of the best approaches to ending a marriage in a peaceful and positive manner.

Mediation results in mutually beneficial agreements between parties in nearly 90% of all cases. And, while the average costs for litigation services can exceed upward of $20,000 for divorcing couples, mediation usually comes in well below — with costs falling between $2,000 and $5,000. For over 20 years, Mediate.com has been connecting people with mediation resources and professionals to help them quickly and affordably resolve disputes.

The site houses more than 15,000 articles, blog posts, and multimedia pieces directed at its 5 million annual visitors. The goal is to educate readers on the options available to them during the difficult times that divorce brings. These resources, coupled with the site’s vast directory of professional mediators in locations around the world, make Mediate.com an effective starting point to work toward reaching settlements that both sides can feel good about.

Dr. Clare Fowler, Caseload Director and Managing Editor at Mediate.com, told us the site was designed by mediators to help the public find them. According to Clare, it’s all about connecting people with the solutions they need to navigate the complexities of divorce.

“We believe strongly in empowering people to have the information and the tools required to resolve their current conflicts as well as learn from these conflicts to prevent them from escalating in the future,” Clare said. “It is our commitment to this belief that guides our products and services.”

Clare told us how her team understands the plight of divorcing couples. Splitting up and agreeing on terms with a former partner is not an easy task, but the resources and professionals at Mediate.com can make the process much less painful.

“Many people feel lost and overwhelmed by the time they reach us,” Clare said. “It is fantastic to let clients know this is a difficult path, but it is not one they should walk alone. They should find a mediator they can connect with and then allow the mediator to be their guide through this process.”

Not only does mediation provide guidance, but it also saves families time and money and gives them the freedom to create the arrangement that best serves them in a fair and amicable way. You know your family better than a judge or attorneys, so it only makes sense that you have a substantial voice in your agreement.

Mediation also allows for flexibility and fluidity and an understanding that conditions often change. According to Clare, those who go through mediation benefit far more than from just the initial settlement. Mediation teaches former partners how to better communicate with one another to find a solution to whatever future issues may occur.

Couples turn to Mediate.com to find the country’s top mediation professionals. Using the site’s unique search features, couples can locate nearby mediators to help them with a range of issues.

Mediate.com partners with skilled professionals currently accepting clients. Clare pointed out the all mediators listed on the site are credentialed, reputable, and adept in modern conflict resolution techniques and best practices.

“Our certification program helps clients know that mediators have had sufficient training and experience in their field,” Clare said. “We publish articles from our mediators, which lets other mediators know what is going on in the field. But, more than that, it helps moms, dads, kids, attorneys, and bosses know what to expect in mediation.”

Mediators partnering with Mediate.com can take advantage of the site’s training, insurance, marketing, and organization benefits. The site’s staff is fully committed to helping both mediators and those needing dispute resolution services find a perfect match.

“We have an amazingly dedicated staff,” Clare said. “Most of us have been here about 20 years, and we love watching new mediators contact us fresh out of their training so we can work with them closely”

Clare noted that her team regularly takes calls from people in heart-rending situations. And, while it’s sometimes difficult, her job can be quite gratifying when successful outcomes are reached.

“I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to introduce those in need to our directory of thousands of well-trained, experienced, and talented mediators,” she said. “It fills your heart to hear hope come back to the hopeless.”

Mediate.com offers a storehouse of articles, blog posts, newsletters, and more for divorcing couples. These resources cover an array of common mediation issues, including the mediation process, co-parenting, custody, and divorce attorneys, among many other topics. The site’s articles and other media are produced by actual mediators and legal professionals, so readers can trust that they are credible and present the best solutions to the issues they are facing.

The video High Conflict Child Custody, for example, discusses the dynamics and psychology of settlement from the viewpoint of someone who experienced it firsthand. For those with a partner who is not interested in negotiating and are losing hope, Working with People Who Don’t Want to Negotiate gives tips on how to unearth the unwilling party’s motivations, interests, and concerns to help move mediation forward. Joan Kelly, PhD, discusses positive research findings for the family dynamic in her video Families Closer Post-Divorce. These are just a few of the insightful video offerings Mediate.com provides.

Mediate.com also presents thousands of helpful articles to its readers. “Divorce Lawyers: 5 Little Known Things You Need to Know,” for example, gives insight into the client-attorney relationship and how to ensure your priorities are also your attorney’s. For parents who aren’t sure how to talk to kids about an impending divorce, “What Should We Tell the Children? Developing a Mutual Story of the Divorce” is a wonderful source that encourages parents to work together in reclaiming their divorce narrative.

Some of Mediate.com’s articles zero-in on location-specific topics that delve into laws and processes affecting mediation and divorce in a given area. One such article, “Massachusetts Divorce: How Long Does it Take,” discusses the different options for divorce offered in the state and how much time to expect the process to take. These articles help readers decide on the route to take based on their individual situations.

Divorce has become a reality for so many in today’s world, and those who’ve gone through it know it can be messy and expensive when litigation is involved. Fortunately, Mediate.com offers a more affordable and amicable alternative.

Though the site’s been at it for more than two decades, Mediate.com doesn’t show any signs of slowing its roll. According to Clare, the team is dedicated to growing its resources and educational efforts with an expanded training site.

“Currently, this is a resource for mediators to continue their training, but we are in the process of adding resources for divorcing couples as well,” she said. “This will include quick trainings, webinars, and tutorials with guides to navigate the divorce process, as well as some tips that experienced mediators can provide for their family.”

As divorce rates increase,  Mediate.com will continue to help families steer through the rough waters of uncoupling and provide access to qualified mediators, quality content, and resources on how to communicate during and after separation.