Divorce can be a lengthy and very complex process. The way that people approach divorce can make it even more complex and challenging to navigate. People are often either to streamline or simplify divorce, although they may not understand how to best achieve that goal.
Although mediation may seem like a way to complicate divorce by adding another step in the process and another professional into the mix, it can actually do a lot to make divorce simpler and possibly faster.
Mediation generally reduces time spent in court
Needing to wait for a hearing in front of a judge could increase how long divorce proceedings take. The more disagreements that a judge has to actually hear about and resolve, the longer it will take to prepare for divorce court and the more time it will take to obtain final orders in many cases.
People will need to gather more official records and submit them both to the courts and their spouses. Those who successfully attend mediation before going to court can move forward with uncontested divorce proceedings. Provided that they reach an agreement about what to do with their assets and how to provide for their children, they can set their own terms for the divorce. Helping couples facilitate uncontested divorce filings might also help them reduce the overall cost of their divorce, as court time and attorney costs related to preparation for litigation can be significant contributors to the total overall expense generated by a divorce.
Mediation often leads to a rapid resolution
Some couples collaborate by slowly negotiating for weeks over each individual issue on which they do not yet agree. This approach can be effective, but it can be very stressful and time-consuming. The longer couples draw out the process, the more likely it is that one spouse or even both will let their emotions get the better of them. Mediation could result in couples settling all of their outstanding disagreements within a single session. Even if multiple sessions are necessary, the total amount of time involved in mediation and preparation for it may be far less than the time required to negotiate matters in a piecemeal fashion.
Understanding how mediation can reduce the challenges involved in divorce proceedings may inspire people to consider this increasingly popular option when preparing for a marital split.