If you and your spouse are facing divorce, you may be dreading a long, stressful legal battle that will take a financial and emotional toll on both you and your children. However, going to court is not your only option.
Mediation is an alternative approach to divorce in which you, your spouse and a neutral family law mediator work to negotiate a fair and workable settlement without the intervention of the court.
1. Set your own schedule
The courts are busier than ever; litigating your divorce may mean months of waiting before you even go to trial. You may also have to follow an unforgiving court schedule that will likely intrude on both your professional and personal lives. Mediation allows you and your spouse to move forward on your own timeline.
2. Minimize the cost of your divorce
Avoiding court fees and the expense of hiring separate attorneys may also help you keep costs down during your divorce. Additionally, during mediation sessions, you and your spouse are free to negotiate your own agreement about how to separate your finances in a way that works for you both.
3. Stay in control of the outcome
One of the biggest drawbacks of a litigated divorce is the lack of control over the outcome. While a judge may try to be fair, he or she may have limited time to make a decision. With mediation, you and your spouse maintain control of important decisions ranging from property division to parenting schedules.
Mediation may not work if you and your spouse have deep, irreconcilable differences. However, if you both agree that you would prefer to negotiate, a mediated divorce may help you to navigate your separation at your own pace and on your own terms.