Divorce is never easy. It’s a time of intense emotions, upheaval, and uncertainty.
But when it comes to dividing property and determining child custody, the process can be even more overwhelming. As a divorce and family lawyer who has worked with numerous clients going through divorce, I understand just how daunting it can be.
But what many people don’t realize is that there’s a better way.
Mediation offers a path forward that prioritizes cooperation over conflict, allowing you and your spouse to work together to find solutions that work for both of you.
Here’s what you should know:
- Mediation offers a path forward that is focused on cooperation, communication, and compromise (the 3 C’s). Rather than entering into a contentious court battle, mediation allows you and your spouse to work together to find solutions that are fair and equitable for both parties.
- When it comes to child custody and parenting time, mediation can be especially beneficial. By prioritizing the best interests of the children, rather than each parent’s individual desires, you can create a plan that truly works for your family. This can be particularly important for children, who may feel like they have little control over the situation.
- At the same time, mediation can help reduce the emotional trauma of divorce. By avoiding a court battle, you can spare your children from the stress and anxiety that often comes with such proceedings.
Of course, mediation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. But for many families, it can be a lifeline during a difficult time.
If you’re considering divorce, or already in the process, I urge you to explore the benefits of mediation. Please reach out if you’re interested in finding out how mediation can specifically work in your situation.
Beryl McNeill is a Calgary divorce lawyer who strongly believes mutual respect and understanding go a long way toward resolving family law matters. As a Registered Collaborative Law practitioner in Calgary, she has dedicated her firm to amicable, cooperative negotiation as a means for settling divorces. Furthermore, throughout her law career, Beryl has seen the costs of adversarial negotiations, both financial and emotional. In emphasizing the collaborative approach, Beryl offers her clients a more efficient model that preserves personal and monetary assets alike.
More and more individuals are attracted to resolving their family law matters in a civil, respectful way. Therefore, they come to Beryl from many walks of life—as professionals in the oil and gas industry and their spouses, business owners, and working spouses with children. Clients say that even after a single consultation with Beryl they feel less stressed and more clear about the way forward.
Beryl understands the often fearful, emotional early stages of divorce. Incorporating skills developed from her training as a life coach, Beryl helps clients move beyond their stress response to more logical, creative thinking. Once there, she works with clients to discover what’s truly important to them in attaining divorce. Furthermore, she encourages clients to picture what a successful settlement would look like a year or more down the road as a means of focusing on their goals. By educating and empowering clients, Beryl seeks to transform the way they resolve family disputes—in a more constructive, intelligent and amicable way than would be possible otherwise.
Finally, Beryl is very active with the Family Bar and the Collaborative Law Community. Her involvement provides her clients with the assurance that she has her finger on the pulse of Family Law in Alberta, offering them a distinct advantage in their quest for equity and civility.