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How To Choose a Divorce Mediator in Cleveland

Jim Robenalt Dec. 13, 2023

The most important part of going through a divorce is understanding your options. Learn about the Cleveland divorce mediation process here.

A high-quality mediator with the proper training can settle more than 75% of pretrial disputes. Some have even higher success rates, which makes them an excellent option for those seeking a divorce in Ohio. 

However, not all mediators provide the same quality for their services. Finding the best divorce mediator can help lower your legal bills and increase your likelihood of a successful settlement if you are interested in divorce mediation. 

Do you need help choosing the right divorce mediator in Cleveland? Keep reading this guide for everything you should consider when you select a mediator for divorce. 

Get Recommendations

One of the first steps you should take when looking for a divorce mediator is to ask for recommendations. Because mediation is such a popular way to settle legal issues like divorce, you may know many people that have worked with a mediator in the past!

Getting a personal recommendation will allow you to learn more about the mediator and how they handle their cases without much research. If you know of any family members or friends who have done divorce mediation in the past, see if they recommend working with their mediator. 

Not only can you get personal recommendations for a mediator, but you can also ask other professionals for help finding a mediator. For example, your divorce mediation attorney may have a mediator that they would recommend. 

Or, you might be able to get a recommendation from your marriage counselor or a therapist. These professional recommendations will ensure that you find a reliable and qualified mediator to help you through your divorce

Check Online Reviews

If you are unable to get recommendations for a mediator, it is also essential that you check online reviews before selecting a mediator to work with. 

Looking at reviews for a divorce mediation lawyer will allow you to learn more about the experiences their clients have had in the past. If your mediator has primarily positive reviews and satisfied clients, you can feel confident that you will have a good experience working with them. 

Prioritize Trust

It is also essential that you find a mediator that you can trust. Divorce can be a messy and overwhelming process with a lot at stake. If you select an untrustworthy mediator, you may not reach a fair settlement during your divorce. 

It would be best if you were sure that you could trust your mediator to guide you and your partner through the mediation process in a fair way to both of you. 

Similarly, it would help if you had a mediator that would allow you to make your own decisions. They should encourage you to have your legal representative during the mediation process and should be an impartial, neutral third party. 

If you can find a mediator that will not take sides and that is invested in helping you and your partner, you can feel confident that you will be able to settle your issues outside of court. 

Ask About Practice Areas and Experience

When selecting a mediator, you must learn more about their practice areas and experience. This is because there are many different types of legal mediation. Find a lawyer that is dedicated to divorce and family mediation

This will ensure they have the right skills and knowledge to help you and your partner through your divorce. It will also improve the odds that you can settle your issues successfully. 

Similarly, you want to ensure they have enough experience practicing this area of mediation. How long have they been working as a mediator? What percent of their cases are dedicated to divorce mediation? 

Answering these questions will help you find a mediator who is knowledgeable about your unique situation and can provide you with the best help possible. 

Lastly, you need to make sure your mediator has the proper credentials. They need to be trained in dispute resolution and have formal mediation training. They should also participate in continuing education to stay up to date on the best practices for mediation. 

Consider Pricing

Pricing is important to consider before selecting a mediator for your divorce. While mediation is an affordable alternative to a court settlement for your divorce, the cost of mediation can still be quite expensive. 

Mediation fees will differ depending on the company that you work with. For example, you may find a mediator that offers hourly billing. If this is the case, you might be able to save money on your mediation expenses if you are confident that you and your partner will be able to settle your issues quickly. 

However, hourly billing will be much more expensive if you have to keep negotiating the same issues and if your mediator takes a long time to draft your final agreements. 

Another type of pricing structure for mediation is a flat fee. This way, you will know exactly how much you will pay before you start your mediation services. 

Learning more about your mediator’s pricing and fee structure will ensure that you find an option that fits your budget. Still, it is important to consider more than just the price of the mediator, and you need to ensure they offer high-quality, professional services to get the best value for your money. 

Find a Great Communicator & Educator

Next, you need to find a divorce mediator that is a great communicator and educator. 

This is because mediation and divorce can be complicated, especially for someone without experience with these legal issues. Finding a mediator that educates you and your partner on the mediation process and the laws involved will equip you better to make decisions during the process. 

Your divorce mediator should also be easy to understand and great at communicating. If they use too much legal jargon or don’t take the time to explain the process to you, you may feel more overwhelmed and stressed. 

Finding a mediator that is a great communicator and educator will ensure that you understand every step of the mediation process. 

Ensure That They are Neutral

A great mediator needs to be a completely neutral third party. This ensures that you and your partner are protected during the process and will keep the playing field level during the mediation process. 

A mediator should not offer any opinions or solutions for your issues. Instead, they are there to facilitate a discussion with you and your partner. 

They should also be willing to point out matters that are not fair during the mediation. This way, you and your partner can devise a mutually beneficial solution for your issues. 

Make sure you find a completely unbiased mediator that does not take sides when it comes to your mediation. 

Get a Consultation

Finally, you should meet with a divorce mediator before making your final selection. 

Most divorce mediators offer a free consultation for their clients. This will allow you to meet with your mediator, learn more about their services, and ensure that you feel comfortable talking with them. 

You can ask your mediator questions about their services during your free consultation. For example, you can ask them about their resolution rate for cases that are similar to yours. This will also make it easier for you to learn more about their mediation process to know what to expect from your mediation and how you can prepare for mediation

You can also ask them about their credentials and training to ensure they are qualified to help you with your case!

Make sure you pay attention to your first impression of your mediator. If they seem biased in any way or you feel uncomfortable around them, you should look for an alternative. 

Need Help Finding a Divorce Mediator in Cleveland? 

Finding the right divorce mediator is necessary if you want the highest chance of success from your divorce mediation. If you are looking for a company to help with third-party divorce mediation, considering each of these factors can help you find a high-quality, professional mediator. 

Are you interested in divorce mediation? Next Page Mediation can help! We provide mediation services across the United States and can help you come to a peaceful arrangement during your divorce. 

Contact our team today to learn more about our services or to get a free consultation!