You hear a lot about mediated divorces nowadays. But if you face a divorce yourself, do you know enough about mediation to make an informed decision about whether or not you want to take that route?
Depending on the things that are most important to you and your about-to-be ex-spouse, Mediate.com explains that mediation can benefit you in the following ways as compared to a traditional litigated divorce:
- You likely will experience considerably less stress
- You and your spouse likely will divorce more amicably
- You likely will spend 40% to 60% less
- You likely will obtain your divorce more quickly
- Your financial and other personal matters will remain confidential
- You will have the opportunity to remain in control of your lives rather than leaving important decisions up to a judge
How mediation works
Unlike in a traditional litigated divorce, neither you nor your spouse need hire an attorney in a mediated divorce, although you can if you want to. Instead, the two of you agree upon a neutral mediator who will represent neither of you, but rather will serve as your guide and facilitator throughout the mediation process.
The mediator will meet with you and your spouse as many times as necessary for the two of you to negotiate and resolve your issues, such as the following:
- Who, if either of you, gets custody of your children
- Whether or not joint custody represents a viable option
- Who pays child support
- Who, if either of you, gets/pays spousal support
- Who gets which items of marital property
One of your mediator’s most important functions is seeing to it that neither you nor your spouse threatens, verbally abuses or steamrollers over the other. Another is ensuring, to the best of his or her ability, that both of you negotiate in good faith.