Divorce can involve litigation. However, many spouses aspire to pursue uncontested divorces. Mediation is a valuable tool for those trying to navigate a divorce as amicably as possible.
Most couples might benefit from participating in divorce mediation. Anyone affected by one or more of the three circumstances described below may find that mediation could be especially helpful.
1. Young children in the family
Litigated divorces have a way of worsening the already damaged relationships between spouses. They fight intensely over everything from property division to custody matters. Unfortunately, that conflict can be damaging for their children. Mediation promotes a cooperative approach to divorce, which can help prevent disputes from spiraling out of control. Parents who want to protect their children from a high-conflict divorce may want to consider mediation.
2. Sharing valuable or unusual assets
Maybe the spouses invested in real estate holdings as long-term investments. Perhaps they started a franchise business together. Higher-value, more complex assets can be challenging for family law judges to address appropriately during divorce proceedings. Couples who want to retain control over asset distribution may benefit from mediating divorce terms instead of litigating.
3. A need for privacy
Maybe one of the spouses is a local newscaster or a member of the clergy. Perhaps the spouses have enjoyed financial success and do not want to make formal disclosures to the courts about the extent of their marital estate. There are many scenarios in which preserving privacy is critical during a divorce. The confidential nature of mediation makes it beneficial for those worried about their privacy.
Attending divorce mediation may allow couples to settle their disputes and file an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorces are often faster and far more private than litigated divorces.
