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With COVID-19 making life uncertain, it can help to find ways to stay out of the backlogged court system. If you and your ex are trying to work through a divorce, or you are trying to settle a custody modification, mediation is the answer. When you work with a mediator, you can get the answers you need. When you allow the court system to make decisions for you, it is going to take longer for an answer now that the system is backlogged because of COVID-19 closures.

Negotiate Through Mediation for Less Confrontation

Mediation makes it possible to negotiate with your ex with less stress. If COVID-19 has made your life stressful, trying to work out issues with a difficult ex is not going to make your life easier. When you work with a mediator, each of you has support as you try to work through a problem. If your ex is confrontational, a mediator can help keep the situation under control. If you are stressed out every time you try to talk to your ex, a mediator can make communication easier.

Avoid Waiting for a Decision

The court system wasn’t very fast prior to the challenges of COVID-19, but when the courts were closed for several months because of the virus, the system got even more behind. If you are trying to get a decision about visitation, child custody or property division quickly, your fastest way is through mediation. If you are not able to achieve an agreement through mediation, your case may wait months to be heard in court.

Focus on Your Goals

As you look at the bigger picture when it comes to your divorce and child custody, focus on your goals. While you may be temporarily frustrated with the situation, you can still reach your overall goals. Talk to a mediator about what you are willing to settle for. Don’t be afraid to state what you want out of your divorce. When you can be clear about what you want, it is easier to negotiate a settlement on your behalf.

It is not easy to deal with divorce and custody issues during a pandemic, but it is still possible. Mediation is more useful than ever as a way to minimize your time waiting for the court system to catch up. If your issue is not an emergency, you can end up waiting a long time to get your chance to talk in front of a judge.