| Settling a divorce by mediation is ideal if possible. Going | | | | one does not have to worry about it. |
| through the court systems can be a particularly | | | | Mediation is healthiest process for the children. It |
| unpleasant process that one should try to avoid. | | | | reduces the conflict between the parents and helps to |
| Mediation is most cost effective way to divorce. Since | | | | put the children's best interests in mind. In the courts, |
| the divorce mediator is shared between the spouses | | | | the children are often put in the middle and forced to |
| so are the costs. Attorneys are much more | | | | choose a side. |
| expensive, and two have to be hired to represent | | | | It is also the healthiest for the divorcees. A court battle |
| each side. | | | | only results in expenses and hurt. Through mediation, |
| More control is given to the parties in mediation. The | | | | differences can start to be resolved which will provide |
| divorcees are permitted to proceed within their own | | | | the most healing. |
| time frame as far as filing the divorce petition and | | | | Going to court is still an option if the mediation does not |
| making decisions. They also maintain more control of | | | | satisfy. The process can be stopped at any time, and |
| the stipulations within the Marital Settlement | | | | the case can go before a judge to be decided. Since |
| Agreement. | | | | mediation is kept confidential, the case will get a clean |
| Mediation is based upon agreements. In contrast, the | | | | start once in court. |
| court system uses an adversarial process which can | | | | The mediator can offer their expertise concerning the |
| be very destructive. The parties are much more likely | | | | law and knowledge of how the case would most likely |
| to be happier with the end result when they have a | | | | be settled in court. They are also trained in counseling |
| say. The judge does not know which items are more | | | | and are skilled in leading civil discussions where both |
| valuable to certain parties, and therefore, can make a | | | | party is respected. At the end of the mediation, it is |
| ruling which neither party is particularly happy with. | | | | recommended that attorney be consulted for legal |
| Divorce paperwork is often complex and the laws | | | | advice before signing the Martial Settlement |
| involved may be difficult to interpret depending upon an | | | | Agreement. |
| individual case. A mediator will fill out this paperwork, so | | | | |