The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread changes to the everyday lives of Americans, including the ways we as attorneys interact with our clients. In the realm of divorce law, one service that has seen a significant increase in popularity due to the restrictions associated with the pandemic is e-mediation, or online mediation services.
Here is a quick overview of the primary benefits of e-mediation and why it may well be a service that is here to stay even in a post-pandemic world.
- Safety: Even as pandemic-related restrictions are being relaxed across the country, there are still many people who are being very careful about making unnecessary trips away from their home, or putting themselves around other people. E-Mediation offers a safe, remote alternative to meeting in person to eliminate chances of encountering a person carrying the virus.
- Convenient: With e-mediation services, there is no need to leave the comfort of your home to get to a meeting in a law firm conference room. This cuts out quite a bit of travel time and offers you more flexibility with your scheduling. It also makes it easy to get everyone in the session together regardless of how far apart they may currently live.
- Candor: Online mediation does not provide the same sort of venue for posturing or intimidation that standard mediation does. If there is any sort of power imbalance between partners, having an online mediation session can improve honest and effective communication.
- Technology: The technology for video conferencing has come a long way in recent year. With e-mediation, you’ll have your meeting session while still being able to have private side conversations with your attorney as needed.
For more information about why e-mediation is such a beneficial service, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, contact an experienced Minnesota divorce lawyer at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.