Should You Mediate Your Divorce? 4 Compelling Reasons

If you are looking down the barrel of a prospective divorce, you are probably hoping there are some ways to alleviate the pressure and stress of the process. Thankfully, divorce mediation is a helpful tool in doing just this.

What is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a process in which two people who are getting divorced can be guided by a professional divorce mediator to come to an agreement on important matters. Divorce mediators are specifically trained to help couples who are undergoing the difficult process of divorce to come to mutual agreements on all necessary issues.

What Can a Divorce Mediator Help Me With?

In the mediating process, you can expect to cover whatever issues you and your spouse need assistance coming to an agreement on. These issues commonly include:

• Parenting plans and arrangements for how to co-parent your children following divorce
• Financial support plan for children
• How to divide all marital assets and liabilities
• All matters regarding alimony/spousal support

So, should you mediate your divorce? Before you answer, remember that mediation is all about coming to common ground. You and your partner do not need to fight over every detail of the divorce. Both parties can get what they want with the help of a divorce mediation service.

Four Reasons to Mediate Your Divorce

If you do not mediate your divorce, litigation is likely and there are many headaches that come with that alternative process. Rather than turn the already emotionally draining process of divorce into a drawn-out, expensive battle, why not turn to someone who can help to assist you in coming to mutual agreements with your ex-spouse? If you’re not ready to answer the question “should you mediate your divorce” yet, look over these four tips.

1. It is likely to be mandatory anyway: Today, family court judges order parties to see a professional divorce mediator before allowing them to continue their dispute in a courtroom. Divorce numbers are at an all-time high, and judges want to be sure that only couples who really need to be in court end up there. So, instead of waiting for a judge to order mediation, skip that inconvenience and find one yourself. Mediation reduces the likelihood of ending up in the courtroom down the line, so it is a worthy use of your time and money.
2. Mediation is less expensive: Mediation does not just save time by keeping you out of the courtroom. It’s cheaper, too. Divorcing couples tend to reach agreements far faster in mediation, and they also spend less money than when the case is taken to court. Lawyer fees add up quickly, so the cost of mediation usually pays for itself many times over. Rather than each party paying attorneys for drawn-out court cases, you can simply pay one mediator to handle your case.
3. Mediation offers privacy:Divorces that reach the court are less private than hiring a mediator. Proceedings may take place on public record, while everything handled by a mediator is done privately. If you are wondering: ‘Should you mediate your divorce?’ and you are seeking the most private way of resolving the issue and moving on, then mediation is for you.
4. The outcomes of mediation are better If you are still wondering: ‘should you mediate your divorce?’, consider this: Mediation results in better outcomes than litigation. Not only is mediation cheaper, more time-effective, and more private, it also achieves better results than what you will find in a courtroom. The issues you will need to hash out when coming to a divorce agreement can greatly affect not only your future, but that of your children as well. In fact, the divorce rate among couples with children is 40% higher than in those without children. It is critical to come to an agreement in a timely manner that protects the emotional wellbeing of your children. Mediators can help you do just this.

Don’t waste any time! Call a divorce mediator today and settle your dispute in a timely, cost-effective manner and in mutual agreement. You owe it to yourself and your children to make this already stressful process as easy as possible.