What Is Better: Divorce Mediators Or Litigators?

When you and your spouse decide it is time to divorce, you might immediately think you have to hire separate lawyers, or litigators, and take things to court. However, there are other ways around the situation other than ?taking each other to court.? In fact, many former couples have found a mediator to be the more peaceful way to go. What?s better for your situation? A mediator or litigator?

Cost Of Litigation

There?s no way to predict exactly what litigation will cost you. It depends on the lawyer you hire, the lawyer your former spouse hires, and how much time you spend in court. You could spend tens of thousands of dollars going back and forth and fighting over the details. On the other hand, you pay a mediator by the hour and can settle your differences in an amicable manner. Instead of fighting over what each side wants, the two parties come together, compromise, and reach an agreement together that both can live with.

Timeline Of Divorce

You have probably heard about celebrity couples splitting up and their divorces drag on for years. That?s probably because they used litigators. Litigation can take anywhere from 18-24 months to clear up, which is probably partly why it costs so much. On the other hand, if you use a mediator, you could be done with the situation in 2-3 months, depending on how many sessions you need to work through who gets what and how.

Involving The Children

If there are children in the family, the way the divorce takes place is even more important. The parents on either side of the divorce have a permanent tie to one another through the children. They are going to have to work with one another, even just in passing. Litigation can lead to a lot of hurt feelings, drug out emotions, and back and forth. Mediation, on the other side, allows the emotion to be set aside as both parties work toward finding the best answer for the children in the situation. Neither may get exactly what they want, but no one will end up with nothing, either. The parents get to decide together what happens with the children, not a court that doesn?t know the children in question.

Looking Into A Mediator

There are enough mediators available to help that any couple can find one that can help them reach a more amicable settlement. It?s often worth a try and if the couple can?t come to an agreement on a certain issue or several, they can always hire lawyers and go into court later regarding those issues. Speaking with a mediator on a consulting basis is never a bad idea. It?s a good way to feel the process out and see if it might be a better way to go. If you have questions about mediation or you want to set up an appointment to start the process when your ex, contact South Bay Mediation for expert advice and counsel.