There are some common alternatives to divorce litigation that couples who have made the decision to divorce should be familiar with. Divorce mediation is one of them and can offer a variety of potential benefits for divorcing couples willing and able to mediate their divorce.
There are several important potential benefits of divorce mediation including:
- Saves money: Divorce mediation can resolve the couple’s divorce more expeditiously which can save time and money.
- Better for the children: The conflict between the parents commonly associated with divorce can take an emotional and psychological toll on the children; when parents are able to resolve their divorce with less acrimony, it can be better for the children.
- Saves time and stress: The average time it takes to litigate a divorce is 9 months to 2 years. That drops to between 2 to 4 months for a mediated divorce. This can save time and stress for everyone.
- Empowers the couple: Divorce mediation can give the divorcing couple greater control over the outcomes to their divorce-related concerns rather than leaving it in the hands of the divorce court to decide what is best for them.
- Retain privacy and confidentiality: Divorce mediation is not a public process, unlike a litigated divorce. For that reason, it can preserve confidentiality and promote privacy for the divorcing couple.
- Avoid future legal battles: Because the major divorce-related considerations are resolved by the couple, rather than being imposed on them, the couple is more likely to abide by the divorce agreement.
- Provide a framework for the future: Divorce mediation provides a framework for the couple to resolve future concerns that may come up such as child custody or child support modifications. It should allow them to resolve those concerns more easily and amicably in the future.
- Preserve relationships: Because divorce mediation is designed to prevent conflict and help promote communication and shared outcomes, it can help to preserve the relationships involved.
There are many different upsides to divorce mediation when compared to a litigated divorce. Divorcing couples considering they options should understand divorce mediation and if they are good candidates for it.