To no avail, you and your partner have tried everything to get your marriage back on track. The only feasible option left is to separate and pursue a divorce.
It is a common misconception that divorce has to be a battle, with one party walking away with everything and the other being left behind. This doesn’t have to be the case and an adversarial divorce tends to harm everyone involved.
Mediation is becoming an increasingly popular way of tackling the divorce process. This involves an independent third party overseeing the separation and working with both parties to find amicable resolutions. Overall, many couples find mediation less stressful, and here’s why:
A more informal process than traditional divorce
Being summoned to court hearings and having to face the judge is a daunting prospect. Mediation is more flexible and allows you to retain some control. Meetings can generally be set up according to work schedules and other commitments, and the role of the mediator is to always try and diffuse tension. The courts do not offer this flexibility. You will be asked to attend on a certain date and absence will typically only be accepted in special circumstances.
Keeping your costs down can be easier
It is possible that finances were one of the reasons your marriage didn’t work out. Disputes over finances are one of the leading causes of divorce in the U.S. As a result, the last thing you need is for your divorce costs to spiral out of control. While mediation isn’t free, it can work out at a much lower rate than divorce. When successful, the process can be over within a matter of weeks, whereas a litigated divorce can take several months and even exceed one year.
Any divorce is going to be tricky and mediation isn’t perfect. However, it has been shown to reduce stress, so it is certainly worth considering. As you proceed with your separation, make sure you have a firm grasp of your legal rights.