So you’ve come to the decision that you want a divorce. And you and your spouse have decided you want the divorce to be as smooth and painless as possible. After doing some research, you realize that divorce mediation may be the best option as it will save you and your spouse a lot of time and money since you are avoiding the whole litigation process.

This welcomes a new question. Who or what do I look for to be the mediator in our divorce? Even though both parties mutually make all the decisions in the matters of divorce, who you choose to guide you through that process is just as important. Hiring a qualified divorce mediation specialist will make all the difference in how peaceful your divorce will be and what it will cost. A good mediator will also ensure the process is thorough, so nothing is left out and no future issues need to be addressed.

Having said all of that, here are some important things to look for and consider when choosing to hire a mediator for your divorce.

Has a Legal Background

The truth of the matter is, anyone can be a divorce mediator. A divorce mediator does not have to be a lawyer, or even have any experience. So it’s important that you know that the mediator you are considering has the credentials to be qualified for the job. 

Ideally, you would want a mediator who does have a legal background beyond divorce mediation. Someone who has been directly involved with the legal process of divorce will be more thorough and more aware of the ins and outs needed to be discussed in a mediation. Therefore, many qualified divorce mediators are actual divorce attorneys or retired judges. 

Has Relevant Experience

It’s not enough for the mediator to just be a legal professional. On top of that, it’s a good idea to know that your mediator has experience specifically with divorce mediation. See how many years of experience the mediator has handling actual mediations. Also, how often do they do mediations? Has this been a part-time/moonlighting side hustle for them or is this their full time job and focus. This will help you determine just how much experience they have in the process.

Good Reputation

Like any business, it’s not hard to find a divorce mediation service’s reputation. Online reviews are a great indicator in how well received a divorce mediator is by their clients. Beyond just looking at the number of stars out of 5, take some time to read why a person has a good review or a bad one. The more reviews they have, the more accurate of an idea you can get of their reputation

Someone You Can Trust

Ultimately, you and your spouse have to go over personal details and make tough decisions. Even if a mediator is well received by many others, they may still not be right for you and your divorce. This is why it’s important to research multiple divorce mediation services, and meet with them face to face for a consultation. 

On these consultations, make sure all your questions are answered and inquire about experience, process and cost. After you meet with different mediators, you can make a good judgment as to who you think will be compassionate, trusting and understanding where you can confidently choose them to handle your divorce.