Ending a marriage is a difficult decision and despite many relationships ending in divorce, there are some that go through a difficult phase that ends. These couples put their relationship back together and reconcile after a legal separation. In these instances, a Houston family mediator can help.

Family reconciliation is an option for couples who have separated, possibly with the intention of ending their marriage, but who later decide to rejoin one another in the marriage. It is important to realize during reconciliation that there is more than the emotional reunification at stake.

Though it can be a joyous experience, re-establishing the relationship can be challenging, especially when legal issues are involved. Remember, despite legal separation not being a divorce, there are legal arrangements made to achieve the separation. Many of these issues will need to be addressed during the reconciliation. And in some cases, couples choose to reconcile even after divorcing. This means their marriage was legally ended, but they chose to rejoin and begin again.

What causes couples to reconcile? It varies. Sometimes their time apart helps them explore their true feelings. Others simply needed time alone to mature and have experiences apart from their spouses. Others face a family challenge that brings them back together. No matter the reason for the reconciliation, it is important to have assistance when rebuilding a relationship and re-establishing a marriage.

When should you turn to a family reconciliation mediator to help you with the rebuilding process?

You choose to reconcile during the divorce proceedings after legal proceedings are in action. Once a petition has been filed, you will need to go through a process to stop the divorce proceedings. If you have made a financial investment in the divorce process you will likely lose this money. And should the reconciliation not be successful, you will need to begin the divorce process again from scratch.

You are not sure if reconciliation is the best option. Both people must genuinely want reconciliation for it to work. If someone is agreeing to reconcile because of a fear of what divorce will bring or because he or she has ulterior motives, reconciliation can prove to be a disaster.

You need help communicating. Chances are you have had communication issues with your spouse or former spouse. These issues might even be what led you to consider separation or divorce. A Houston family mediator can help the two of you work through your initial issues and deal with the legal considerations of reconciling.

You need to negotiate an arrangement for your assets. Many people who separated and chose to reconcile consider themselves wiser for the experience. They are not quick to enter into a relationship that can have such severe financial ramifications. A Houston family mediator can help to create an arrangement that protects everyone involved.

Finally, a reconciliation mediator can assist with family issues that are not necessarily related to divorce or that might have arisen as an offshoot of a struggling marriage. Houston family mediators can assist with reconciliations with parents, children, in-laws, and other estranged relatives.

Sharon Bayus
http://innovativealternatives.org/