It’s no secret that divorce is tough on everyone involved. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the process of getting divorced can be just as tough on your wallet as it is on your heart.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re in the middle of a divorce (or know someone who is) and want to avoid going to court. With good reason: going to court is stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. There’s an easy way to prevent that stress: mediation is an alternative to resolve your disputes amicably and quickly.
This article will explore the benefits of mediation for helping you save money and stress during your divorce.
Why Should You Consider Mediation?
The average cost of a litigated divorce in the United States is $15,000, which can quickly climb to $20,000 or more if the divorce is contested. If you have children, the cost of divorce can be even higher. That’s why family law professionals urge couples to mediate their separation before litigating it in court. They say mediation is a faster, cheaper, and less emotionally charged way to come to an agreement about holiday visitation schedules and other vital issues.
People tend to be more reasonable when they’re not in a courtroom setting. Mediators are also trained to help couples find creative solutions to complex problems. Given the tensions surrounding a break-up, many couples are too concerned about the present and settle for an agreement that helps them move forward today, leaving tomorrow for tomorrow. It is important to be focused on things other than the issues related to the break-up and the present situation that we should consider in the future. Many couples will neglect the future with the desire to “be done” and reach a settlement.
Mediation allows for calmer decision-making.
What are the benefits of mediation?
Couples can develop agreements that allow them to plan for their future and the current situation through mediation, even amid troubling life circumstances. Although it’s difficult to predict many of life’s developments, the skills developed during mediation enable experts to collaborate effectively in the face of unanticipated changes.