Online mediation in family law

14 October 2024

Online mediation in family law

By Marcella Verwoerd

Within family law, mediation is increasingly being used by (future) ex-partners to make agreements on, for example, the content or modification of a parenting plan and the financial settlement of a marriage. Through mediation, sustainable agreements can be reached.

It has been shown that mediations can also take place online in a good manner, making mediation even more accessible and efficient. This form of mediation is often used in our office for international divorces, where the spouses do not both reside in the same country, and this has proven to be very successful.

What are the benefits of online mediation?

One major advantage is accessibility; by utilizing online mediations, clients and the mediator can participate in the meetings from any location or country. This makes it easier for all parties to participate in a (cross-border) mediation process, taking into account different time zones.

Furthermore, online mediation proves to be very efficient. Scheduling appointments and sharing documents can easily be done through the online program, making the process more efficient. It is important to know how to make convenient use of the various features of online mediation. This way, you can easily share links, notes or other important information during the mediation meetings.

What can you do to ensure a smooth online mediation process?

It is essential to have a good internet connection for smooth communication during the sessions. Additionally, creating a quiet environment when the mediation takes place is important. Confidentiality is highly valued in mediation; therefore, it is important that no other parties are present during the mediation and all parties (clients and mediator) ensure they are in a quiet environment to minimize distractions and maintain focus. This is important because mediation provides ample space for addressing concerns and emotions that are inseparable from divorce, which can be carried out very well within the familiar setting of online mediation.

Conclusion

By using online mediation in family law, the consequences of, for example, a divorce, can be discussed in a good and trusted manner, while maintaining the quality and human factor that are crucial for navigating such an important process.

More information

Would you like to learn more about (online) mediation? Feel free to contact one of the lawyer-mediators at GMW Advocaten.

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