Benefits of Divorce
Mediation
When discussing the benefits of mediation with clients, I focus on five issues:
- Lower cost: A mediated divorce settlement can cost the parties half the amount they would pay if the case was heard in court
- Less time: Depending on the circumstances, couples using mediation for their divorce can expect the process to take as little as a few months, compared to a year or more—even to get to trial
- More satisfaction: Mediation gives the parties more control over the outcome of the process. Because they were part of developing the final agreement, they are more invested in making it work than if they were required to abide by conditions imposed by a judge
- Better for children: Children in a divorce can see their parents working together and not fighting, lessening their trauma
- Private: Mediators—and the participants—are bound by a confidentiality agreement. Consequently, mediators cannot testify about previous mediation sessions if the case goes to trial after mediation sessions fail to produce an agreement