Divorce mediation has become a widely-utilized tool in the modern family court system. Traditional divorce involves litigation and hearings in front of a judge. Litigated divorces take a long time to resolve and can be unpredictable unless the spouses have a marital agreement.
If you think that you may be able to resolve disagreements about dividing property, responsibilities for your children or paying support directly with your ex, divorce mediation could be a beneficial tool.
What benefits do divorcing couples typically derive from mediation?
Preserves privacy
One of the most difficult things about a litigated divorce is that you need to gather evidence to use in court to get the outcome you want. You and your ex may give testimony about everything from substances and infidelity to how much work you did around the house.
While those details may influence what is fair and appropriate in your divorce, you may not relish the idea of talking openly about them in front of your children for having those details become part of the public record. Mediation is a confidential process, so you can discuss all of those embarrassing details outside of the public venue of the family courts.
Mediation puts you in control
In a litigated divorce, spouses depend entirely on the ruling entered by the judge. It is the judge’s understanding of the family circumstances and their interpretation of state law that ultimately matters the most.
When you have specific custody terms or property that you desperately want to secure in the divorce, mediation gives you a better chance at getting those exact terms. You and your ex have to decide where to compromise on a solution that you are both comfortable with, write it down and sign it. Instead of a judge, the you have the final say in everything that happens.
Mediation can save money
At first glance, mediation may seem like just another expense in an already expensive divorce. After all, you and your ex will have to pay for the services of a professional mediator. However, time spent in mediation can actually reduce how much time you need to spend in court.
Provided that the mediation attempt is successful and results in a signed agreement, mediation could save you thousands of dollars in court costs and other divorce expenses.
Identifying benefits of divorce mediation could convince you to try it or help you convince your spouse to agree to it.