| When most people file divorce papers, they | | | | and recommendations during every step of the |
| assume that they will have to appear in | | | | way, starting with the filing of divorce |
| divorce court and undergo a lengthy | | | | papers and concluding with the dissolution of |
| litigation dispute over the division of | | | | your marriage. |
| assets, child custody and alimony. In many | | | | |
| cases, especially those where both parties | | | | As mentioned earlier in this article, divorce |
| wish to resolve the legalities in a quick and | | | | mediation may be a less expensive process |
| amicable manner, divorce mediation may be the | | | | than a divorce court proceeding. If a case |
| answer. As the name implies, divorce | | | | proceeds to trial, your divorce attorney will |
| mediation involves a neutral third-party who | | | | spend hours of time in preparation, discovery |
| oversees the agreement between the husband | | | | and will be required to take depositions. |
| and wife relating to the terms of their | | | | Time is money and, in this case, the old |
| divorce. | | | | saying has never been more true. The more |
| | | | hours your divorce lawyer spends on your |
| Couples who decide to undergo divorce | | | | case, the more you will likely pay in |
| mediation as opposed to having their case | | | | attorney fees. A divorce mediation, on the |
| tried in divorce court will save both time | | | | other hand, will result in less hours of |
| and money as the litigation process can be | | | | research and work for your divorce attorney, |
| both lengthy and complex. A divorce | | | | which means a lower cost for you. A divorce |
| mediation is a much more casual and friendly | | | | is an expensive process, but there are ways |
| setting and, in some cases, both parties may | | | | to keep the fees at a minimum. During |
| even walk away on better terms than if the | | | | divorce mediation, both parties can resolve |
| case were to proceed to trial. Depending on | | | | all issues both legally and effectively and |
| the nature and complexity of the case, | | | | without having to deal with the lengthy and |
| divorce mediation can often be completed in | | | | expensive litigation process. |
| less than one month. In order for this to | | | | |
| occur, both parties must be cooperative | | | | At the conclusion of a divorce mediation, the |
| throughout the discovery process and must be | | | | divorce attorneys for both parties will |
| able to schedule regular mediation | | | | review any/all documents that require |
| appointments. | | | | signatures and will advise their client to |
| | | | sign documents relating to the agreements |
| With that being said, it's important to note | | | | reached during mediation. Once all paperwork |
| that although informal, a divorce mediation | | | | has been signed, including that which relates |
| is very much a legal process and should be | | | | to child custody, alimony and the division of |
| taken seriously. The mediator will serve as | | | | assets, a court date will be scheduled for |
| a neutral party, which means that both you | | | | the final divorce hearing. |
| and your spouse may wish to seek the | | | | |
| independent representation of a divorce | | | | The information contained in this article is |
| attorney who specializes in these types of | | | | designed to be used for reference purposes |
| cases. Whether you prefer advice on divorce | | | | only. It should not be used as, in place of |
| or actually desire the presence of a licensed | | | | or in conjunction with professional legal |
| divorce attorney during the actual mediation | | | | advice regarding divorce, child custody, |
| process, it is important that you understand | | | | alimony and/or divorce laws. If you are in |
| your legal rights and are equipped with the | | | | need of divorce advice or are considering a |
| knowledge of local divorce laws in your area | | | | marriage separation, consult with a |
| when entering into mediation. A professional | | | | professional divorce lawyer in your area for |
| divorce lawyer can provide you with advice | | | | further information and/or divorce advice. |