Why You Should Mediate Your Divorce

Divorce can be multi-faceted and involve multiple areas of potential dispute. From an initial break-up, issues arise with respect to establishing a parenting plan, temporary financial support, maintenance of debt, securing and itemizing assets. Further into the process, issues can arise regarding the division of community assets and debt, a long-term parenting plan, long-term child and spousal support and fees incurred for the professional assistance and costs involved.
Traditionally, divorces are resolved through the courts where one spouse petitions for divorce and frequently asks the court for temporary orders regarding child custody, child and spousal support and more.  However, it is not uncommon for litigated divorces to literally take years to resolve. The financial and emotional drain on the family is often devastating.
However, mediation can be the first step in the process before resorting to litigation. Mediation provides parties the opportunity to sit down and discuss issues right away. Further, mediation is confidential so your dispute is not part of the public record to be viewed by anyone who may have an interest, such as potential future employers.
Mediation is also fair to both sides as the mediator is a neutral party, helping both understand how the law applies to their family’s situation while allowing each party the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice if the parties so choose. Additionally, most parties who agree to mediate succeed in reaching an agreement that they crafted rather than take the chance of obtaining a different result from an over-worked judge who simply does not have the time to understand their family and the issues. Finally, mediated agreements can become an order of the court as it is presented to the court for execution by the judge and filing with the court. The judgment stands as legal as any other judgment of the court and is enforceable as such.
The financial and emotional savings of mediation is enormous. If confronting divorce, mediation IS for you! For more information about Mediation and Family Law Issues, contact The Reape-Rickett Law Firm at 888-846-6166 or visit DivorceDigest.com.