Your divorce does not have to be a contentious courtroom battle. You do have options, and those options include various types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). One type of ADR that divorcing couples are often drawn to use is mediation, which is a more low-key, collaborative way to complete the divorce process.
There are a lot of benefits to choosing mediation to complete your divorce. Because of these benefits, couples who choose mediation often report higher levels of satisfaction with the divorce process and their relationships with each other after their divorces. But do not assume that mediation is automatically the best way to divorce. It is not ideal for all situations, such as situations where one partner has a history of domestic violence or there is a suspicion that one partner is hiding assets from the other. Your lawyer can help you determine whether mediation is the right choice for you.
Mediation is Less Expensive than Litigation
Divorcing through litigation can be very expensive. Multiple lawyer meetings, hearings, and time spent away from work to attend court hearings can quickly put a divorcing individual into debt. Although not true in all cases, mediation may result in lower overall costs.
Mediation is Less Stressful than Litigation
Mediation works like this: the divorcing couple works with a neutral third party, known as a mediator, to work out the details of their divorce settlement such as the division of their assets, their parenting time agreement, and whether either partner should receive child or spousal support. When the partners have a disagreement about one of these items, they work with the mediator to reach a fair compromise. This is done in a low-key setting such as the mediator’s office. Without the pressures of the courtroom, divorcing individuals often feel more comfortable communicating openly with each other and the mediator.
Through Mediation, Each Partner is More Likely to Achieve His or Her Divorce Goals
We all have things we want out of our divorces. You might really want to retain your family home because of the memories tied to the house or the neighborhood. At the same time, your partner may not care about the house, but he or she may want to receive fair compensation for his or her share of the home. Because both spouses and their attorneys work with the mediator to come to mutually satisfying agreements, each partner has the opportunity to voice these desires and work within the group to arrange a settlement that allows him or her to fulfill these desires.
Work with an Experienced Chicago Divorce Lawyer
Determining the right way for you and your spouse to divorce is not always easy. Make it easier for yourself by discussing your concerns with an experienced Chicago divorce attorney. Schedule a legal consultation with me, Chicago divorce lawyer Michael C. Craven, to talk about your unique needs and circumstances and determine the most productive way for you to complete the divorce process.
