Couples Who Divorce through Mediation More Satisfied with their Results

 Posted on August 31, 2017 in Mediation

Every marriage, and by extension, every divorce, is unique. Some divorces are resolved fairly quickly while others drag on for months, even years. Some couples divorce at the first sign of marital discord whereas others suffer for decades before choosing to end their broken relationships. For many couples, mediation is a positive alternative to the traditional courtroom divorce. With mediation, the couple works with a mediator to reach a fair divorce settlement through a series of guided discussions. A few benefits of mediation are:

Couples Who Mediate Retain a Greater Level of Control

In a courtroom divorce, the partners and their lawyers present their arguments but ultimately, the court has control over the final outcome. This is not the case with mediation. In mediation, the couple works with the mediator to reach agreements for each aspect of their divorce settlement, giving each the opportunity to advocate for his or her goals the other a way to negotiate them.

Mediation Saves Money for Everybody

Lawyer fees are expensive. Generally, divorcing through litigation requires individuals to spend a lot of time with their lawyers, often costing them tens of thousands of dollars by the time the divorce is finalized. Saving money makes the divorce process less stressful, which leads to other benefits like a greater willingness to compromise.

Mediation Is a Quicker, Less Stressful Way to Divorce

When couples choose mediation, they can often complete the divorce process more quickly than they would in a traditional courtroom setting. This is because instead of “back and forth” debates between the couples’ lawyers, the couple focuses on finding effective solutions for their divorce with their mediator. This type of direct communication enables the partners to resolve matters quickly, saving time and by extension, saving money.

There Is No “Winning” in Mediation – Just Working Together

Perhaps the greatest benefit of mediation is that it preserves an amicable, productive relationship between the couple. This is especially important if they have children and will need to co-parent in the years that follow the divorce.

With mediation, both parties are winners. Both parties present their goals for the divorce and together, find compromises that allow them to each walk away with an agreement that matches their stated goals as closely as possible. In many cases, achieving one goal means giving up another a little bit or completely. Individuals are advised to work with their lawyers to identify all their goals, then determine which are the highest priority and which can be compromised, before heading to their mediation sessions.

Work with an Experienced St. Charles Divorce Lawyer

If you are considering ending your marriage through mediation, work with a lawyer who has experience with this type of divorce. Contact Shaw Sanders, P.C. at 630-584-5550 to set up your initial consultation with an experienced Kane County divorce lawyer in our office, during which you can discuss your divorce and determine whether mediation is the right choice for you and your spouse.

Source:

https://www.marriage.com/advice/divorce/why-couples-divorce-after-decades-of-marriage/