If you and your spouse are ending your marriage, does the next step have to be a contentious, public divorce where the court takes charge of your life?
Not if you choose mediation. If the two of you believe you can work together to craft your own settlement agreement, this out-of-court process could be a much better option than litigation.
A popular divorce process
Litigation can take months if not years, especially for those who have complex assets and issues to work through. The more time it takes, the more frustrating and costly it becomes. Add to this the constant stress and the negative effect parental conflict has on children, and it is no wonder that divorcing couples are turning to mediation.
The role of the mediator
A mediator does not take sides but serves as a neutral party to provide guidance as a couple works toward developing their divorce agreement. In an atmosphere that is more relaxed than a courtroom, the mediator provides access to pertinent legal information, keeps the discussions on track and encourages couples to consider different paths toward resolving sticking points. Not only is there less stress but mediation is a much faster process than litigation and considerably less expensive.
Communication and control
Mediation is confidential, and couples appreciate the privacy it offers. Perhaps the most important benefit, however, is that it affords the parties control over the outcome of their own divorce without having to accept input from a judge. The focus is on open communication and once couples become used to this approach to resolving issues, they often rely on the practice in establishing their new family structure in a post-divorce world.