Avoid Divorce Court and Make Your Own Decisions with Mediation

There is no denying that divorce is hard, maybe one of the hardest things you will go through in life. For anyone who has been through a divorce or knows someone who has, you may also know that going to court can be extremely expensive and nerve wracking. The judge may be impartial and objective, but putting your fate into the hands of a judge can leave you feeling powerless and uncertain. Avoid the courtroom and consider divorce mediation instead. Mediation provides you a chance to take a more active and collaborative role in deciding your own divorce terms, rather than leaving your fate to someone else.

What is Divorce Mediation?

In mediation, you must work collaboratively with your spouse and an impartial mediatory to come to a mutual agreement on the terms of your divorce. The mediator’s role is not to advocate for either you or your spouse, but to act as a neutral party that will help facilitate an agreement all parties can agree to.

Keep Decision Making Power for a Better Relationship

Working together in divorce mediation towards a mutual agreement may help foster a better relationship with your ex-spouse by putting the decision making power back in your and your spouse’s hands. Decisions made by a judge in court may not fully satisfy either party and could leave you both feeling frustrated, potentially leading to more court battles.

Consider the Children

If there are children involved in the divorce, mediation may be a more peaceful and collaborative option than divorce court. Divorce can have a significant emotional impact on children and a peaceful and expeditious agreement may help minimize that impact.

Reduce Expenses

Attorneys are expensive and the divorce process through the court can be slow and cumbersome. Although you may still want to consult with an attorney before signing your final divorce agreement, working directly with your spouse in divorce mediation may be much less expensive than having to attend multiple court hearings over the course of many months, only to have the judge make a decision that you do not agree with.

Don’t Over Complicate a Complicated Situation

Divorces can be complicated and emotional situations, but mediation may help simplify the process of coming to a mutual agreement. In court, you may not even be allowed to speak directly to your spouse while the judge has the power to make crucial decisions on your life. Divorce mediation is your opportunity to work directly with your spouse, reduce the impact on your children, minimize your expenses and come to an expeditious agreement. It’s true you may have to make compromises, but at least that will be your decision to do so.