Mediation Can be a Less Expensive Option than Litigation in a Divorce

There’s no questioning that divorces are stressful for all parties involved. Some divorcing spouses may choose to mediate instead of litigate, and the choice of mediation can carry many benefits.

Mediation is a form of alternate dispute resolution where a qualified third party negotiator helps to negotiate a settlement. In dissolution of marriage cases, each spouse can be represented by his or her own attorney, but may choose to go before a licensed court-approved mediator, often a barred attorney, to reach an agreement on child custody, support, alimony and the distribution of assets.

One benefit to mediation is the cost. By using facilitated negotiation, couples can often workout their differences together and avoid costly court and attorney fees. Another benefit to mediation is the time frame. A litigated divorce can take years to reach a final judgment, where sometimes a mediated divorce can be resolved in several months.

Mediation allows the divorcing parties to be in control of their outcome, where judicial outcomes can be rigid and define a winner and a loser. A consequence of this type of resolution often brings about more compliance in a divorce settlement, because both parties feel that they have worked hard to negotiate a final agreement.

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