Is Interstate Divorce Mediation Possible?
Divorce mediation can be enough of a challenge between coordinating the schedules of you, your spouse, and the mediator. But what happens if you throw the hurdle of geography into the mix? How does mediation cross state lines and is divorce mediation even an option in such cases?
The challenges of an interstate divorce
With interstate couples, one option is to go the lawyer route and opt for a collaborative divorce or let the law take its course. This might make things a lot more expensive as you both run up huge legal bills.
On the other hand, there is also the option to go the traditional divorce mediation route. But how do you pick which city to do your mediation in? Unless both spouses can agree on a location, with one person flying in or driving down for each session, this can also become tedious.
Last minute rescheduling on account of work or other commitments can make the mediation process even more difficult and even expensive.
Divorce mediation for the 21st century
Technology could come to your rescue if you are like many interstate couples struggling to find a cost-effective and efficient route to their divorce related hassles. Virtual mediation is an alternative that’s growing in popularity. It has all the benefits of a traditional face-to-face mediation, but extended to apply to interstate divorces. All it takes is a mediation specialist willing to go this route and videoconferencing at all three locations – where you are, where you ex is, and where the mediator sits.
The big benefit with this form of mediation, over even a regular meditation for couples in the same geography, is that it makes it easier for everyone to attend. Scheduling becomes less of a hassle as couple can go through their negotiation anytime, from anywhere.
Another advantage is that it allows you to pick a divorce mediator on the basis of their skill and not on factors like how far their offices are from you or ex. In the able hands of the best mediators, your mediation sessions are also likely to be more productive, helping you wrap up and come to an agreement faster.
What it will take however, is a tech savvy mediator who is willing to take this step with you. Also note that the mediator must be from a state where one of the two spouses meets the local residency laws. Beyond that, their skill is at your service to help guide you and your partner through the mediation process as they would in a typical divorce mediation setting.
To learn more about the divorce process in California and how virtual online mediation can be a viable option in your case, please visit our page, What is Divorce Mediation.
Gerald A. Maggio is a trained Orange County divorce mediator who has amicably resolved cases many cases out of court, as well as an experienced divorce and family law attorney. Mr. Maggio founded California Divorce Mediators in 2012 with the belief that although “not every marriage can be saved, every family can” and a mission to save families from the financial and emotional distress associated with traditional divorce litigation. California Divorce Mediators is located in Irvine, California, and serves the Orange County area and other counties in California offering divorce mediation, child custody mediation and mediation of other family law matters.
