In Los Angeles, a little over 8% of the population is divorced. When you try to picture this, you might imagine eight people who have gone through battle in a courtroom, fighting for control over their finances and wanting custody of their children for themselves.
However, divorce doesn’t always have to look messy, stressful, and dramatic. With mediation in divorce, you can get all the benefits of separating without the chaos and emotional turmoil that ensues when you go to court. Today, we’ll examine how mediation helps create peaceful splits among ex-couples and whether it might be the best option for you during your divorce.
What Is Mediation in Divorce?
Mediation is a process where a divorcing couple hires a neutral third party (aka a mediator) to help them negotiate the terms of their split. It’s a healthier, less intense alternative to litigation in a potentially messy court battle.
The goal is to collaborate and work together to reach divorce terms and settlements that work for both sides. Since it hinges on open communication and understanding what the other party is able to work with, it preserves your relationship with your ex-partner, even if your marriage has come to an end.
The best mediators in divorce are legal professionals who know the ins and outs of family law, like the lawyers at Freed Marcroft, a firm that specializes in divorce and family law but can also mediate for you in your separation process. If you’re curious about mediation in divorce and how Freed Marcroft can help minimize stress as you go through this life-changing journey, click here to learn more.
The Benefits of Divorce Mediation over Litigation
Mediation might be a less familiar approach to separation, but it has massive benefits for you and your family. These include:
- Affordability: Traditional litigation can drain your funds, what with all the expensive attorney fees accumulated over long periods in court. On the other hand, mediation has lower legal fees than regular divorce cases. It also resolves faster, which means the amount you pay won’t accumulate over the months or years.
- Lower stress on kids: Studies show that children exposed to high-conflict divorce are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder and have a hard time recovering from emotional trauma. Private, non-confrontational sessions with a divorce mediator aren’t as public, chaotic, and destructive, which helps children cope with the separation much more easily.
- Protect your peace: Divorce courtroom battles can take a toll on anyone and leave them feeling burnt out and emotionally drained. However, with mediation, you and your partner treat each other with mutual respect, allowing you to protect your peace and be more calm and resilient throughout the divorce process. Instead of seeking revenge, you’ll have more time to pursue personal goals, whether it’s becoming a mompreneur or finding love again.
When Is Divorce Mediation a Good Fit?
Mediation during divorce is a terrific fit for couples who are willing to communicate and peacefully negotiate their settlement requests. It’s also great for those who want to remain friends and aim to prioritize co-parenting and protecting their children’s welfare over their personal issues.
For couples dealing with domestic abuse or who have an imbalance of power, mediation might be ineffective, especially if one person doesn’t treat the other with respect. In these cases, litigation might still be the best route to fight for your rights.
Endnote
Divorce is never easy, but if you’re thoughtful and intentional about the path you choose to get to an amicable separation, you and your former partner can move forward while protecting your peace and helping your family cope in the best way possible. Mediation is the way for divorce centered on boundaries and mutual respect, so consider it as you go through this challenging transition.
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