Divorce Mediation: How It Works & Why It May Save You Time And Money

When most people file divorce papers, they assume that they
will have to appear in divorce court and undergo a lengthy
litigation dispute over the division of assets, child
custody and alimony.  In many cases, especially those where
both parties wish to resolve the legalities in a quick and
amicable manner, divorce mediation may be the answer.  As
the name implies, divorce mediation involves a neutral
third-party who oversees the agreement between the husband
and wife relating to the terms of their divorce.

Couples who decide to undergo divorce mediation as opposed
to having their case tried in divorce court will save both
time and money as the litigation process can be both
lengthy and complex.  A divorce mediation is a much more
casual and friendly setting and, in some cases, both
parties may even walk away on better terms than if the case
were to proceed to trial.  Depending on the nature and
complexity of the case, divorce mediation can often be
completed in less than one month.  In order for this to
occur, both parties must be cooperative throughout the
discovery process and must be able to schedule regular
mediation appointments.

With that being said, it's important to note that although
informal, a divorce mediation is very much a legal process
and should be taken seriously.  The mediator will serve as
a neutral party, which means that both you and your spouse
may wish to seek the independent representation of a
divorce attorney who specializes in these types of cases.
Whether you prefer advice on divorce or actually desire the
presence of a licensed divorce attorney during the actual
mediation process, it is important that you understand your
legal rights and are equipped with the knowledge of local
divorce laws in your area when entering into mediation.  A
professional divorce lawyer can provide you with advice and
recommendations during every step of the way, starting with
the filing of divorce papers and concluding with the
dissolution of your marriage.

As mentioned earlier in this article, divorce mediation may
be a less expensive process than a divorce court
proceeding.  If a case proceeds to trial, your divorce
attorney will spend hours of time in preparation, discovery
and will be required to take depositions.  Time is money
and, in this case, the old saying has never been more true.
 The more hours your divorce lawyer spends on your case,
the more you will likely pay in attorney fees.  A divorce
mediation, on the other hand, will result in less hours of
research and work for your divorce attorney, which means a
lower cost for you.  A divorce is an expensive process, but
there are ways to keep the fees at a minimum.  During
divorce mediation, both parties can resolve all issues both
legally and effectively and without having to deal with the
lengthy and expensive litigation process.

At the conclusion of a divorce mediation, the divorce
attorneys for both parties will review any/all documents
that require signatures and will advise their client to
sign documents relating to the agreements reached during
mediation.  Once all paperwork has been signed, including
that which relates to child custody, alimony and the
division of assets, a court date will be scheduled for the
final divorce hearing.

The information contained in this article is designed to be
used for reference purposes only.  It should not be used
as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal
advice regarding divorce, child custody, alimony and/or
divorce laws.  If you are in need of divorce advice or are
considering a marriage separation, consult with a
professional divorce lawyer in your area for further
information and/or divorce advice.


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Andrew Daigle is an author and creator of many
informational websites including
http://www.divorce-attorney-search.com ,
http://mesothelioma-attorney-search.com and many more.