Divorce mediation is a great method for negotiating a settlement. With mediation, you and your partner hire a neutral third party (a mediator) to meet and discuss your divorce issues. A mediator will not make decisions for you but will guide the two of you while you figure out the best options.
There are many benefits to divorce mediation, including:
It Is Cost-Effective
Unlike traditional divorce proceedings, mediation does not take place in a courtroom. The mediation process is less formal and is often just three people in a room; you, your spouse, and the mediator. For this reason, the cost of mediation is usually 40 to 60% less than a courtroom divorce.
It Is Private & Confidential
Divorce proceedings in a courtroom are open to the public. As such, anyone can listen to you and your spouse air your grievances. With mediation, you choose where and when you would like to hash out the proceedings. Once an agreement has been made, you won’t even have to file the paperwork with a court. The mediator will handle it all for you, and the only thing you will need to do to finish the process is sign the appropriate documents.
It Is More Peaceful
Because the atmosphere of divorce mediation is one of cooperation, reaching an agreement is usually done so amicably because issues concerning child custody, child support, spousal support, and division of property are discussed in a less emotionally charged atmosphere. For this reason, mediation is likely to cause less stress between spouses than if they were to go to court.
It Is Quick
The average timeframe for a mediation-guided divorce is 4 to 10 sessions. In contrast, a courtroom divorce can be drawn out for months or even years.
During mediation, the lines of communication are open, and every issue is discussed until both spouses reach an agreement. There is no legal red tape around the issues and the parties can freely talk to each other rather than indirectly through the court.
Knowledgeable Mediation Experts
At Cynthia Tracy, Attorney at Law, P.C., our firm founder has been through the divorce mediation process herself. This means she can offer her mediation clients knowledgeable guidance for their divorce proceedings that other mediators may not be able to share.
Contact our firm online or give us a call at (281) 612-5443 for your case evaluation.