Pros and Cons of Mediation in Divorce
Sometimes marriages end for a variety of reasons. While nobody wants to go through the stress of a divorce, the good news is that there are options. Not every divorce has to go through the long, arduous court process. You don’t have to have a judge decide your fate.
Many couples opt for mediation. Mediation allows you to work with a neutral third party in order to compromise on common issues in a divorce, such as alimony, child custody and property division.
is a good way to settle your divorce issues quickly. Plus, it costs less than battling it out in court.
While mediation is a great option overall, it doesn’t work for everyone. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of using mediation in a divorce.
Pros of Mediation
Mediation has many benefits. It’s known as a peaceful way to divorce, since there’s no battling it out in court. This will make things less stressful for all involved, especially the children. Mediation is also less expensive. It may only cost a few thousand dollars, rather than the average divorce amount of $15,000. Also, mediation allows you resolve issues quickly. It may take just a few several-hour sessions to finalize all the issues, whereas a regular divorce can last over a year.
The main benefit of mediation, though, is the control you have. You know what’s best for you, so why have a judge decide? You and your spouse can come to your own agreement rather than having a judge make a decision that may not benefit either of you.
Cons of Mediation
Mediation requires compromise, which means that the couple has to be willing to work together. If there is a lot of bitterness or resentment in the marriage, or one party wants to seek revenge against the other, then mediation isn’t going to work. It’s just going to waste everyone’s time if one or both parties are unwilling to budge.
Also, agreements made in mediation are not always enforceable. They can be challenged. Plus, any legal issues will still need court approval, so this can cause complications.
Also, in some cases, mediation may be much more favorable to one side. This is true if one spouse is submissive and the other is dominating. It’s possible that the mediator could be biased or inexperienced and cause some degree of unfairness. Another thing to consider is that mediation does not require full disclosure of assets, so it’s possible for one spouse to hide things from the other.
Seek Legal Help
There are peaceful ways to divorce. Mediation can be a helpful option if you want to settle your divorce amicably. It can help you resolve property division, child custody, alimony and other matters.
Make your divorce less stressful with help from Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney Edward J. Jennings, P.A. His team can provide you with the dedication and compassion you need. Schedule a consultation by calling 954-764-4330 or filling out the online form.
Resource:
forbes.com/sites/jefflanders/2012/04/24/the-four-divorce-alternatives/#1b0043920ae1
https://www.ejj-law.com/getting-married-own-a-business-consider-a-prenup/
