3 Reasons to Resolve Your Divorce Outside of Court
Going through a divorce is rarely easy, but battling it out in the courtroom can be even more difficult. For many couples, making decisions about child custody, property division and alimony requires an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of a family relationship. While a judge tries to do his or her best when making decisions on behalf of a separating couple, he or she is unlikely to know as well as the couple what would work best. Instead of heading straight for court, there are a few reasons why it may be beneficial to resolve your split outside the courtroom.
Save Money
The fees associated with a litigious divorce can add up quickly. The amount of preparation that an attorney has to do just to present in court can end up costing you a huge sum, but you can save a lot of that money by turning instead to mediation. Whether your lawyer is waiting for discovery, hiring witnesses or holding depositions, you’ll be charged. Instead of spending weeks or even months in hearings, you can quickly and efficiently end your marriage without having to pay for every minute that your attorney spends on your case.
Reduce Conflict
While there is almost always some level of conflict involved in divorce proceedings, you can reduce the amount of conflict that you, your ex-spouse and your children experience with the help of a mediator. A neutral party who can keep you on track through the process can assist in lowering the tension by offering options and alternatives for resolution. Instead of fighting over every aspect, you and your ex-spouse can work together to create a settlement that works for everyone involved.
Make Personal Decisions
How you and your ex-spouse decide to end your marriage can be up to the both of you if you are willing to work towards and out of court solution. Your children’s well-being, your finances and your future dealings can be handled in a way that benefits everyone. The two of you know how your family’s dynamic works, but lawyers and a judge don’t. As such, you can use mediation to come to an agreement over disputed issues rather than waiting for someone else to make a decision on your behalf. Having control over your divorce can be beneficial to both parties, as you and your ex make these important personal decisions together.
While some egregious circumstances necessitate the litigation route, resolving their issues outside of the courtroom has its advantages for many couples choosing to end their marriages.