Five Reasons to Consider Divorce Mediation

A divorce can be a long and complicated process, depending on the size or the marital estate and the complications between the two spouses. While some couples know they need the court’s help from the beginning, others may find they can take some matters into their own hands. Couples who want to have more control over decisions in their divorce may want to consider divorce mediation.

What Is A Mediator?

A divorce mediator is an impartial third party, often a divorce attorney, who meets with the couple and helps them settle important decisions like dividing assets and bills, and determining issues related to children, support payments, and insurance.

Working with a mediator can keep you out of courts, freeing up the time you would normally need to reserve for hearings. There are many other reasons to consider divorce mediation:

  1. It could save you money. A divorce can drag on in court for months or even years, costing both parties huge sums of money. You could speed up the process by working with a mediator, who can help you divide your community property and make decisions about where your children will live, in a shorter period of time.
  2. You and your spouse could make decisions together. Not all divorces cause contention, and if you and your spouse are experiencing an amicable split, you may be able to work together through a mediator. Arizona laws require marital assets to be divided equitably between each spouse, but the court does not have to do the dividing. Spouses who can work together are free to come to their own terms and do what they feel is right for them.
  3. Your divorce could be resolved quicker. Going to court means getting hearings set way in the future according to a judge’s schedule. With a mediator, you can meet at your own convenience and move through your to-do lists at a better pace.
  4. It’s less stressful for the kids. A divorce can be as hard on the children as it is on the parents; most kids just want their lives to go back to normal. Using a mediator may allow you both to start your lives over and let your children settle into their new “normal” as quickly and smoothly as possible.
  5. It can be terminated. If all else fails, and you and your spouse can’t seem to make headway, you can opt to cancel your mediation in favor of going to court and having a judge divide your assets, bills, and determine child custody and support arrangements.

Contact a Divorce Attorney with Your Mediation Questions

If you’re still not sure about hiring a mediator, you may want to talk it over with a divorce attorney. The attorneys at Udall Shumway, PLC have extensive experience in divorce proceedings. We can discuss your case and help you determine how you want to move forward with your divorce.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding Reasons to Consider Divorce Mediation, or other family law issues, please feel free to contact 480.461.5300, log on to udallshumway.com, or contact an attorney in your area. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.