Springtime is symbolic of new life and fresh starts. For many California spouses, this represents a decision to move on in life without their partners. When a primary goal after filing for divorce is to achieve a fair settlement as swiftly and peacefully as possible, litigation might not be the best option available. You are under no obligation to go to court to finalize a divorce.
You can choose, instead, to enter mediation to settle your divorce. Mediation is one of several alternative dispute resolution options. The way it works is simple: You and your spouse agree to meet for discussion sessions to resolve differences regarding child custody, property division and any other relevant issue so that you can negotiate a settlement. Before sessions begin, you both must agree to avoid confrontation.
Why drag out a divorce settlement with court proceedings?
Divorce disrupts daily life, to be sure. Especially if you have children, it’s going to take a while to adapt to a new lifestyle and develop new routines. You’ll no doubt have more time to focus your attention on these issues if you mediate, rather than litigate, your divorce. Mediation is beneficial in several ways, one of which is that it typically takes much less time than court proceedings.
If you litigate your divorce, you could end up dealing with court hearings for months — maybe even longer. A courtroom setting tends to be adversarial. This can cause stress for you and your children. Mediation is much less stressful because you do not have to appear before a judge. It’s also a private setting, as opposed to divorce proceedings, which take place in a public courtroom.
Mediation is easier on the pocketbook
Litigation can be quite expensive, especially if proceedings drag on for months. Of all the ways to settle a divorce, mediation is usually the least expensive. It is often possible to save thousands, if not tens of thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars by choosing mediation over litigation to achieve a divorce settlement. In fact, the most basic type of mediation might even cost less than the average family beach vacation.
Making informed decisions is the key to successfully mediating a California divorce settlement. Seeking guidance from someone with experience in law is the easiest way to become informed. This option may also help your children cope because they will witness their parents’ willingness to cooperate and resolve issues without conflict.
