The media often focuses on bitter divorce battles with mud-slinging, dirty tactics, viciousness between both parties and a lengthy amount of time in court. However, especially these days, more and more couples go their separate ways as amicably as possible.
In these situations, mediation might serve a couple better than litigation. But exactly what is divorce mediation, and what purpose does it serve?
The downsides of litigation
Forbes discusses some of the main types of divorce solutions available. Of course, litigation is one of the most well-known. This involves taking the case to court and allowing a judge to make a ruling about matters like property division, child custody, spousal support payments and more.
But litigation not only costs a lot of time, effort and money. It also puts a couple’s personal matters on display, due to the records that a court keeps on every case that goes through the system.
Instead of dealing with this, couples in an amicable divorce situation could consider divorce mediation instead. With this, though you will still need the aid of lawyers, you can often skip taking the case to court. This saves you time, money and privacy.
How mediation works
In mediation, both parties will have their own attorney and will meet together in a group setting to discuss all matters related to the divorce. Together, the couple will work out how they want to divide assets, handle custody, deal with support and more. Mediators help by acting as referees, stepping in if things get too heated and offering suggestions from their unique perspectives.
On a whole, it is a beneficial arrangement for most parties, and certainly an option to consider.
