No matter how long you've been married, the choice to call it quits is never easy. It is important for a couple to determine the best way to officially end their marriage and resolve the many financial and parental difficulties that arise when they split.
Litigation is one option, but it may be costly and time-consuming, especially in light of the current backlog in family courts. ADR alternatives like mediation and collaborative family law are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons.
Many concerns must be resolved after you and your ex-partner break up, such as how to care for your children, financial assistance, and dividing your possessions. Having a prenuptial agreement is beneficial to families in a number of ways. Divorce mediation has several advantages, including the following:
What is the process of mediation?
In order to mediate a family, there are two steps:
Step one: With the help of a mediator you and your ex-spouse can agree on the difficulties that arise from your divorce. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines the details of your agreement with the mediator (MOU).
Step two: In order to have a formal legal opinion on the agreement's terms, each spouse should have their own lawyer analyze the MOU when it is finalized and created. Using the MOU as a template, a separation agreement can be drafted if all goes according to plan.
If you want to keep any progress you make in negotiations on track, it's crucial to point out that the family attorney you hire to offer you independent legal counsel should be sympathetic to the mediation process. If they aren't, any headway you make could be derailed.
It saves money
According to estimates provided by a variety of sources, the expenses associated with mediating a divorce are often 70–90% lower than those associated with litigating a divorce. Divorce settlement costs can be reduced, allowing for more assets to be split between the parties.
You set the timetable
There are no scheduling problems or delays when using mediation instead of a court docket, which has a tendency to be overbooked. Divorces can often be settled more swiftly through mediation than through the courts.
No formalities
Mediation, in a contrast to a courtroom battle, allows for more maneuverability. It is not up to the rules of procedure to prescribe how things are done. They can define ground rules that both parties are comfortable with. Coming through a mediator instead of going before a court, who can speed through the case to get to the next subject on the docket, provides the parties with additional time to tell their sides of the story.
Ensure the Security of Your Personal Data
The fact that a family law case is going to court is generally deemed public information. Mediation is a divorce case is not. After the mediation session, you'll have to wait until your final agreement is complete before presenting it to a judge. However, you'll be spared the humiliation of a trial in open court, when your personal information may be leaked to the media without your consent. Using a mediator reduces the number of lawyers you have to deal with to one, further enhancing your privacy.
Avoid Court Delays That Aren't Necessary
In order to finalize your divorce, you already have to wait six months. A court date, which might add time to the process, can be avoided through mediation. If your court date is repeatedly rescheduled, you may be forced to wait an extra two months for your case to be heard. The approval process moves more quickly if you have all your papers ready to go and don't have to wait for a trial.
Begin a New Relationship Phase
It's possible that even if your marriage didn't work out, you can't just walk away. After a divorce, whether you have children, pets, or a company together, you may still need to maintain regular contact with your ex-spouse. As a result of keeping things cordial during mediation, you will be better able to work together in the future.
It is less combative
Mediation seeks to resolve concerns that arise when a couple decides to part ways. Solutions that satisfy both sides are only possible when the parties involved collaborate. This objective eliminates the need for legal posturing. As a result, the emphasis is shifted from the past to figuring out how the two sides might work together effectively in the future. This is critical for couples with kids who will need to stay in touch for a long time.
You make the choices
During a court case, a judge listens to evidence and arguments and then decides what is best for you. Even if your lawyer can give you a basic notion of what the court is likely to do, this results in outcomes that are unmanageable and unexpected. Mediation is different because no decisions may be taken until both parties agree to them. You have the authority to work out an agreement that works for both of you. You are not compelled to follow the advice of a third party.
It benefits the children
For the sake of the children, it is preferable to avoid an ugly judicial battle and instead work out custody, visitation, and support concerns in mediation. The dissolving family usually benefits from the process. Mediation improves the flow of information between the disputing parties. After the divorce, it's crucial for the divorced parents to learn how to communicate effectively with each other while parenting their children.
Make Peace With Your Final Arrangement
Judges aren't the best source of information about how often you can see your children or whether or you can maintain your house. You and your spouse have worked hard over the years to develop your family and your life, and it only seems sensible for you to make these decisions for yourself. If you and your spouse decide to sort things out through mediation, you don't have to give anybody else power over what happens despite the fact that you and your spouse may need to reach a compromise on some matters.
Conclusion
When you and your family opt for divorce mediation as a method of dissolving your marriage, you may expect these and many more advantages. Get in touch with a reputable divorce mediator who can help you find an agreeable solution that meets your family's requirements and goals, and you'll discover more about how mediation performs and why it's becoming more popular every day.
