Contemplating a divorce? Here’s why you should consider mediation.

by Divorce and Family Mediation Services Helping families find peaceful and respectful solu

When it comes to ironing out the terms of a marriage’s end, more and more couples these days are opting for divorce mediation in favor of the traditional divorce litigation.

In divorce mediation, a third-party mediator helps the divorcing couples negotiate by assisting with communication, acting as a buffer when tempers flare and providing information and strategies to help resolve differences. The benefits of this process are lower costs, less distress and an agreement the parties want to adhere to, rather than one they are forced to follow.

A traditional in-court divorce complete with feuding attorneys and out-of-court drama can hit an already suffering husband and wife with a knockout blow square to the pocketbook. Also, typical divorces can cost two to ten times more than divorce mediation. Many lawyers charge a high retainer fee and also bill the client for any services in addition to the time covered by the retainer. And, if the case goes back to court because of subsequent litigation, that means even more money for the opposing attorneys. By using a divorce mediation lawyer, divorcing couples can substantially reduce this cost and avoid subsequent litigation by forging an agreement both parties can agree upon.

How does divorce mediation play out?

During the first meeting, the couple and the mediator identify what needs to be discussed in the coming mediation sessions and decide when to address it. The objective is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement related to every aspect of the divorce, such as child support, arrangements about parenting, dividing the property, etc. After the first meeting, the divorce mediator leads the couple through issues in dispute and helps resolve the parties with strategies to avoid conflict. Once the couple has reached an agreement on all issues the divorce mediator if an attorney, drafts an agreement for review by the parties.

Because of the cooperative and vocal nature of divorce mediations, mediating couples tend to be more satisfied with the process and the results than couples who go through an adversarial divorce. They are also likely to take less time and spend less money and are less likely to go back to court later to fight about something.