In today’s society divorce rates are skyrocketing, with statistics showing that about 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce. Divorce is not a new phenomenon; however, social norms have changed a lot since the 1960s, when divorce rates were much lower. In the past, divorce involved a lengthy court process that was difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Today, most people who get divorced do so through mediation, which is a faster and less expensive alternative to traditional litigation. Mediation is also more private than traditional divorce proceedings because it’t not open to the public. This article explains the benefits of mediation as well as its disadvantages so that you can decide if it is right for you and your divorce case:
Benefits of Mediation in Divorce Cases
One of the major benefits of mediation in divorce cases is that it is less expensive than traditional litigation. For example, the average cost of divorce proceedings in the state of California is about $30,000, while mediation costs about $5,000. This can be a significant difference for people who can’t afford to pay for lawyers or who can’t afford a divorce because they don’t have the assets or income to support both parties.Mediation also has a much lower failure rate than traditional divorce proceedings. While about 50 percent of divorce cases end in divorce regardless of the process, mediation has a much lower failure rate compared to traditional divorce proceedings. This makes mediation a good choice for people who want to increase their chances of keeping their marriage intact.
Drawbacks of Mediation in Divorce Cases
Mediation has some disadvantages compared to traditional divorce proceedings. The biggest drawback of mediation is that it’s slower than traditional divorce proceedings. In many cases, a couple must wait for a year or longer to get divorced through mediation, while they can divorce faster through traditional divorce proceedings. This can be a major source of stress for people whose lives are in crisis because they can’t finalize their divorce as quickly as they’d like.Mediation also doesn’t allow for the same amount of control as traditional divorce proceedings. For example, parents who want to share custody of their children may prefer a court-ordered schedule rather than letting their ex-spouse decide when their children will be with them. However, mediation doesn’t allow for this type of control, and parents who want to share custody of their children may have to settle for a less-ideal outcome.
Summing Up
Deciding whether to divorce through mediation or litigation is a difficult decision, but you should consider all of the factors involved. If you want to divorce quickly and quietly and don’t have much money, mediation may be a good choice for you. However, if you want to share custody of your children or have an equal settlement, mediation may not be the best option. The decision to divorce is a major life event, and it’s important to make a thoughtful and informed decision. With so many factors to consider, divorce can be a complicated and difficult process.