Divorce Mediation versus Trial
Divorce is never easy. However, relying on litigation to dictate the terms of your divorce can substantially increase both the emotional and financial cost of divorce. Divorce mediation can be used to help you and your soon to be ex-spouse make decisions on your own terms, often with a savings of tens of thousands of dollars. Read further to understand the differences between a mediated and a litigated divorce.
Cost
The average cost of a litigated divorce is nearly $30,000, with many divorces finalized at totals even larger. When couples use mediation services, their total final bill is usually less than $5,000.
Time
The heart and soul of litigation is the battle between your and your spouse’s lawyers. You are each paying your lawyers an average of $250 an hour to battle for resources which dwindle further every day the battle ensures. This is not a system which encourages quick resolutions, concessions or bargains on the part of your lawyers. When a divorce goes to trial, it may take many months or even years to finalize.
The goal of divorce mediation is to minimize friction and stress and to find workable solutions for both parties. Divorces resolved through mediation versus litigation are typically finalized in a matter of a few months.
Control
As soon as a divorce enters a courtroom, you and your spouse will both give up control over the ultimate outcome. The judge will make the final decision when it comes to financial and custody arrangements.
Divorce mediation offers expert guidance in law and conflict resolution to assist couples in finding their own solutions. This means there is far more flexibility in the final arrangement if, for example, you and your ex-spouse ever need to rearrange custody decisions.
Will Mediation Work For You?
A long, contested divorce is one of the most stressful events of a lifetime. If you and your spouse are able to cooperate with the help of a professional divorce mediator, especially one with backgrounds in both law and psychology, you are likely to save tens of thousands of dollars and gain a much quicker closure on a difficult part of your life.
