One of the most frequently asked questions about the logistics of divorce is whether or not to hire a divorce attorney. When many people think about divorce, they assume that a divorce lawyer is necessary. An attorney knows the process and can fight for your legal rights. While this can be true, it is not the only way to successfully navigate a divorce. Working with a divorce mediator instead of hiring an attorney right away can benefit you and your family in many ways:
1. Reduces the overall conflict between you and your ex: When you and your ex hire attorneys to fight for your legal rights, you are engaging in a battle. Litigation in the court system puts you in a win/lose situation and often increases the conflict already present between you. Mediation is based on compromise and can actually lessen the conflict between you as you work through the issues of your divorce.
2. Saves you a significant amount of money: Mediation is far less expensive than litigation in large part because you do not have to spend money on hourly rates for attorneys. You can expect to save several thousands of dollars by hiring a mediator to help you settle the terms of your divorce.
3. Lays a strong foundation for co-parenting after divorce: Your relationship does not end when your marriage does, especially if you share kids. Mediation helps you lay a strong foundation for effective and successful conflict management which puts you in a strong position for future interactions.
4. Gives you a resource when you need to make adjustments to your divorce agreement: A divorce agreement may need to be changed over time, as your personal or financial situation changes. When this happens, you do not want to have to hire attorneys and go through the courts to amend your divorce agreement. A mediator can help you whenever you need to change your divorce agreement.
5. Flexible scheduling: When you hire divorce attorneys, you are really at the mercy of their schedules, and those schedules can be very busy. Mediators often have much more flexibility about schedule mediation sessions, even on evenings and weekends. A mediator may also be able to complete all mediation sessions online as well.
Benefits of Mediation over Litigation
You do not have to hire divorce attorneys to represent you during a divorce. Mediation is a highly effective tool to settle your divorce, including dividing joint property and deciding on a parenting plan (custody agreement). For more information about our divorce mediation services, call AMS Mediation at 952-252-1492.
