Mediation Helps Cooler Heads Prevail

Fans were shocked last month when pop star Joe Jonas filed for divorce from actress Sophie Turner after four years of marriage. After playing a game of he said/she said through entertainment news and social media, it seemed the couple was heading toward a bitter legal fight, specifically in regards to their two young children.

But after just a few mediation sessions, Turner and Jonas announced they had reached a temporary custody agreement for their children as they continue to work through their issues with the mediator, even going so far as to tell news outlets they “look forward to being great co-parents.”

Mediation is gaining ground as a viable and successful means to end a marriage amicably — with couples able to resolve their issues in less time than a traditional divorce proceeding, all while keeping their privacy and dignity intact.

And in co-parenting situations like Jonas’ and Turner’s, leaving a marriage on respectful — even friendly — terms can make all the difference in the lives of children impacted by a divorce.

The idea behind mediation is simple: a certified and neutral third party — the mediator — assists divorcing couples in working out issues like custody, finances and property distribution to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement outside of the courtroom. Where a traditional divorce proceeding gives a judge the final say on the issues, mediation empowers the individuals to work out their unique issues and maintain control over the outcome.

The process is often faster, less expensive and more confidential than a traditional divorce proceeding, as mediation sessions are private and only the final agreement is filed with the courts.

Couples don’t need to have multimillion dollar entertainment careers or complex custody disputes like Jonas and Turner to benefit from mediation. In fact, all it takes are two parties willing to engage in honest and open communication and negotiation with a certified mediator to guide them on the journey.

Check out our website’s family law topics on alternative dispute resolution and mediation to learn more about these offerings, and contact our team of certified mediators and collaborative attorneys to see if an alternate dispute resolution option, like mediation, is right for you.

About the Author

Lindsay A. Nemit is an associate attorney at Pollock Begg with a comprehensive family law practice including complex custody and divorce. She is a certified mediator and collaborative law practitioner.