Once you decide to divorce your spouse, you’ll soon realize that the process itself is full of many twists and turns. It’s common to assume that your case will head straight to court, but this very rarely happens. Instead, you can first go through divorce mediation in an attempt to resolve all your issues.
Many people shy away from divorce mediation because they don’t feel that they can get along with the other person for long enough to make any real progress. While this may be true to start, over time you could come to find that this is the best way to proceed. With more control over the process, you’ll feel better about what the future will bring.
The goals of divorce mediation are the same for most people:
- To create an equitable divorce agreement
- To minimize hostility that often comes with a traditional court case
- To avoid the stress and expense associated with litigation
If you go into the process with these goals in mind, it’s much easier to reach them as you partake in one meeting after the next.
Can you resolve all your issues?
It’s nice to know that you can resolve all your issues in divorce mediation. These often include the following:
- Matters of property and debt division
- Child custody
- Visitation rights
- Child support
- Alimony
For example, you can work through child custody disputes in mediation, giving you and the other person the opportunity to settle on an agreement and schedule that’s in the best interest of your children.
Is it right for everyone?
Even with so many benefits, divorce mediation is not the right solution for every divorcing couple. There will always be people who are unable to make any progress in mediation, thus meaning that litigation is their only option.
You may have reservations about divorce mediation, but don’t fight back from the start. Instead, give it an honest try to see what it can do for you. If you fail to reach an agreement with the other party, you can then move toward litigation.
With the ability to work through all the details of your divorce in mediation, it’s something that deserves your full attention. Understanding your legal rights and how the divorce mediation process works will put you on the path to success.