Like Eileen Coen, I've received many phone calls from people seeking an uncontested divorce, but don’t know how to get their spouse to participate in mediation.
In this excellent blog posting, Eileen offers 7 common objections to mediation - and responses that may help bring your spouse to the negotiating table.
I don’t want the divorce, so why should I mediate?
I don’t want therapy.
We can barely talk to one another let alone reach agreements.
I need someone who will protect my rights.
Our finances are too complex for mediation.
I’m afraid that you’ll hide assets.
My lawyer told me not to.
The fact is that it’s possible to obtain a divorce in Massachusetts even if one spouse wants to stay married. If you’re not the one who wants the divorce, mediation will give you a chance to process the impact of separating, gain clarity about your needs going forward and give you some control over the outcome. Developing a mutual plan for physical separation, managing finances and parenting - even temporarily - can be reassuring at a vulnerable time.