Divorce is expensive. The kids are going to suffer. It’s going to take forever to finalize.
These are the stories we hear so often on celebrity news and divorce court. But, the good news is that divorce doesn’t have to be a nasty, cut-throat brawl.
Divorce mediation is a great way to work out your separation without the trouble of litigation. But, what exactly is it?
How does mediation work? And how much is it going to cost?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about divorce mediation so you can glide through this process as smoothly as possible.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is ideal for when a divorcing couple is having trouble coming to an agreement, but don’t want to spend the time, money, or energy fighting in front of a judge.
Divorce mediation is required by law in some states, especially with certain sensitive situations, such as custody or visitation, become an issue.
Court-ordered mediation is often used to cover very specific subjects, whereas voluntary mediation can be helpful for many problems during a divorce.
For couples where both parties are content with the divorce, mediation is typically the best option.
How Does Mediation Work?
The mediation process is simple. The divorcing couple will schedule appointments that work with both of their schedules, many mediators will allow evening or weekend appoints to accommodate.
During your appointment, the mediator will sit down with both parties and try to help you reach an agreement that is fair for both sides. Unlike litigation lawyers, the mediator will never push the couple to “take it or leave it”. The mediator will work to resolve any issues, as well as remind the divorcing couple to discuss issues they might not have thought about, such as who gets the dog, rights to stock investments, or insurance claims.
How Much Does It Cost?
Divorce doesn’t have to be expensive. During a litigation process, the divorcing couple will have to pay for TWO attorney fees, court fees, paperwork filing fees, etc. And the longer the court battles drag out, the more costly it’s going to be.
Divorce mediation is much less costly than litigation. With mediation, the divorcing couple will only have to pay fees for appointments with the mediator, as well as hourly fees for drafting separation documents.
Keep It Civil
How does mediation work once you’ve started your divorce? It’s never too late to consider mediation, even if your divorce has already begun and your lawyers are neck and neck. After all is said and done, mediation can be helpful when discussing things like visitation, vacations, relocation, parenting, and much more.
All in all, it’s important to keep things civil – especially if there are kids involved. Your life is changing, and it shouldn’t have to start out with piles of paperwork, hard feelings, and bills coming out of the woodwork.
Remember to keep your head up and practice self-care throughout this process. Divorce is never easy, so it’s important to mind the little things like showering, quiet time, or just resting in general. For some helpful advice on maintaining self-care, check out our health tab.