All in all, there’s a myriad of benefits to Divorce Mediation over Divorce Litigation. It’s not for everyone; however, those who can mediate successfully many times find that post-divorce life isn’t as stressful. Divorce Mediation in and of itself can be a much less stressful and controversial approach to divorce than historical Divorce Litigation. In today’s article, we’re going to discuss the top 10 reasons to mediate your divorce.

Divorce Mediation Is Cost-Effective

We’ve discussed why Divorce Mediation is so cost-effective in a recent article. Instead of an adversarial approach, in which both parties must hire their own lawyers, and a long, drawn-out court battle, a couple can come to their own agreements with the guidance of a Divorce Mediator and save both time and money.

The Outcome Of Your Divorce Is Yours To Control

In Divorce Litigation, your future is essentially in the hands of the judge handling your case. That can be a scary notion for many. If your partner’s divorce lawyer is more experienced than yours, you may end up walking away from your divorce with losses you hadn’t planned for. In Divorce Mediation, however, your mediator will come up with creative ideas to help you and your spouse solve divorce-related matters such as property allotment, child custody, etc. You can take your time in figuring out how each solution will affect your future. And in the end, if your mediation is successful, you’ll be the one in control of your future.

There’s More Personal Attention

When it comes to Divorce Litigation, it’s likely that the judge overseeing your case is overworked and doesn’t have the time to understand your family’s disposition. It’s the opposite in Divorce Mediation. Your mediator will take the time to get to know you and your family. Each family has individual and distinct needs. Throughout your sessions, your mediator will get to know you and your family and what your family’s individual needs are.

The Divorce Is Resolved Faster

Resolving your divorce can take a long time if litigated. You and your spouse are forced to work around a court’s packed timetable. When divorce is mediated, you schedule your own sessions. A Divorce Mediator will encourage you to agree to a schedule that will allow you and your spouse time in between sessions to really understand how your decisions will affect your future. In a lot of cases, the faster the resolve, the better. It can be extremely difficult living with a spouse that you’re divorcing. There may be a lot of tension in your household, and if you have children it’s best for their wellbeing that they don’t have to witness that.

More Confidentiality In Divorce Mediation

When divorce is litigated, your private affairs become public. The problems revolving your marriage and divorce are aired out in a room full of strangers. When divorce is mediated, the matters revolving your divorce are kept private, behind closed doors, in a much less controversial environment.

Greater Flexibility In Divorce Mediation

Divorce Mediators may agree to schedule sessions that work with your busy time schedule as opposed to a court, which has rigid operating hours and overflowing dockets. Mediators can even meet with each spouse independently should it present a helpful resolution to highly contested divorce-related issues. Divorce Mediation can also be done over Skype or conference calls. There’s much greater flexibility in Divorce Mediation than in Divorce Litigation.

Children Are Protected From Conflict

Custodial trials may require that your children be interviewed and observed by several experts to help in determining custodial rights. This can be traumatizing for a child who doesn’t fully understand what’s happening in their life. They may even have to appear at court. Additionally, it’s difficult for two spouses not to grow resentment toward each other during adversarial proceedings. They’re working against each other. It’s not healthy for a child to be in between controversy or witness it take place. A Divorce Mediator can help two parents understand the importance of keeping any tension against each other away from their children and that their main priority should be their children’s wellbeing.

Divorce Mediation Is Less Adversarial Than Divorce Litigation

Instead of two spouses battling out their divorce-related issues in court, Divorce Mediation offers up a much more amicable solution. A neutral Divorce Mediator can help teach cooperative problem solving skills for both parties, which can be beneficial in the future. Whereas the focal point in a litigated divorce is usually which party comes out victorious, in mediated divorces, Mediators will encourage solutions that are mutually satisfactory and beneficial toward both parties. They also facilitate communication as opposed to arguing, which can have great post-divorce benefits if the mediation is successful.

More Opportunities For An All-Around Beneficial Family Plan

When a couple successfully mediates their divorce, they don’t have to stick within the confines of a litigation system. A successfully mediated divorce may lead to a co-parenting plan which is healthy for children and a less resentful rapport between both divorcees than a litigated divorce.

Greater Post-Divorce Stability

The traditional litigation system is adversarial, naturally pinning two parties against each other. A knowledgeable Divorce Mediator will help two parties learn to cooperatively communicate with each other when problems arise post-divorce. This is important, particularly when co-parenting a child is involved. Divorcees need to learn to understand each other and not let tensions rise to the surface when it comes to their children. Additionally, they can always choose to come back to their Divorce Mediator, who is aware of their family situation and can amend agreements for them.