No matter how amicable two parties may be, every divorce can present challenges. There are many complex issues that you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse will have to address, and sometimes, it is not necessary to resort to a court battle to reach a final solution. For some Florida couples, mediation could be a good way to reach an agreement, navigate difficult issues and do all of this without stepping foot inside a courtroom.
Mediation is a choice that is growing in popularity, but it is not the right option for everyone. Both parties must be able to discuss and negotiate issues, and while this does require mutual cooperation, it does not necessarily require both sides to get along and like each other. Before you forge ahead with a traditional divorce, it could be useful to consider the benefits of mediation.
Why choose this approach?
One of the main reasons that people choose mediation over a traditional approach is that it can be much simpler form start to finish. Your motivation for choosing mediation may be simply to avoid litigation, but other benefits to this process include the following:
- It will likely cost less than a traditional divorce.
- It takes less time, allowing you to move on with your life sooner.
- It could give you more control over the details of your final divorce order.
- It allows you to address specific needs and issues, including parents’ work schedules, special educational needs for the kids and more.
- It often diffuses anger and other complex emotions associated with divorce, allowing both parties to work together better.
- It often leads to agreements that are more sustainable and more workable for everyone.
Mediation is not a magical cure for the difficulties of a divorce, but it could offer you a better way to navigate the process of ending a marriage. When the process is easier and less stressful for parents, it can make this period and the time of transition better for the kids as well.
Know your options before you choose
You have the right to know all of your options before you make any decision related to your divorce. Knowing what is available to you can help you make thoughtful decisions that best protect your kids and your future interests. It may be prudent to further explore how mediation works and what you can expect from the process before you choose to move forward with the right option for you.