Mediation has many advantages for divorcing couples, yet it is not for everyone.
Divorce is a great way to get away from abusive spouses, so the last thing you want to do is put yourself in their company voluntarily. Mediation will require you to sit around a table with your spouse and if the thought of that fills you with fear you may need to use more traditional methods.
Not all abuse takes the form of violence. Often it is about manipulation. If you know your spouse will be able to get what they want by making you feel bad or making you feel sorry for them, it may again be best to leave it all to an attorney and litigate your divorce.
What advantages will mediation bring?
If abuse is not a worry, then there are several key reasons to consider mediating your divorce:
- It’s quicker: Why drag divorce out any longer than you need to?
- It’s cheaper: Why spend more than you need to on ending your marriage when you could use that money to boost your future?
- It’s less conflictive: Mediation involves a commitment to work together to find a solution. It’s a very different approach to litigation where you each try to out-argue the other to get what you want.
- You retain more control: Why allow a judge who does not know you from Adam to make crucial decisions about your future when you could do it yourself? When you mediate you do not need to agree to anything you are not happy with.
If you are unsure whether to use mediation for your divorce, seek legal help to understand more.
