Is Divorce Mediation Right For You And Your Soon-To-Be Ex?

Divorce is traditionally viewed as being a contentious process. Spouses are programmed to view each another as the enemy and to be guarded and wary when forced to interact with one another. In reality, there are plenty of couples who still like and respect their ex, but simply no longer want to be married and view divorce as a mutually-beneficial solution. If this latter description applies to your situation, you may want to consider divorce mediation.

Divorce mediation is a popular form of alternative dispute resolution in which a trained mediator guides a couple through the divorce process and all related decisions and procedures. While you can choose to also hire a divorce attorney, you are not required to do so as long as the mediation process is productive in helping you and your ex work towards successfully resolving divorce-related matters.

There are many benefits to mediation, including:

  • Less costly
  • Less acrimonious
  • Provides spouses more control over outcomes
  • Less time-consuming

For anyone who is facing the prospect of divorce and the grim reality of paying thousands of dollars in legal fees and having various personal and financial matters in perpetual limbo for months, the benefits of mediation are likely particularly attractive. It’s important to note, however, that mediation isn’t a good option for all divorcing couples.

So how do you know if mediation may work to resolve your divorce? If you can say yes to all or the majority of the statements on this bulleted list, there’s a good chance that mediation may be an effective option in resolving your divorce.

  • You still like and trust your ex
  • You and your ex have no desire to reconcile
  • You and your ex both want a divorce
  • You have a good understanding of your financial situation
  • You have minor-aged children together and want to maintain a good relationship
  • Your marriage wasn’t plagued by domestic violence or substance abuse

If you and your ex agree to mediate your divorce, it’s important to select a mediator that you believe to be qualified, experienced, empathetic, respectful and someone that you both trust to help you make important personal and financial decisions.