If you have decided to divorce, your next decision to make is how you want to settle the terms of your divorce. The two primary options are a court battle or a form of alternative dispute resolution like mediation. One of the biggest differences in these two options is how long they take (and how much they cost!). Hiring lawyers and going through the traditional court system can take six to twelve months between the scheduling and the preparation. Mediation is a much faster process and will take 6-8 weeks followed by another 4-8 weeks to process your legal documents. In fact, it is for this very reason that the Minnesota courts want you to start first with a process like mediation. The courts simply cannot handle the volume of divorce cases coming through the system.
Does Mediation Take Less Time Than Litigation?
AMS Mediation offers a wide range of alternative dispute resolution services including divorce mediation for families who are looking to resolve the terms of their divorce with less stress and without spending months in the process. All of our mediation services are offered virtually as well, making it even easier to schedule the mediation sessions at times that are convenient for you. You can expect to need 3-4 two-hour mediation sessions to settle the terms of your divorce including dividing joint property, assets and debt, creating a parenting plan and custody agreement and deciding whether or not spousal maintenance or child support is necessary. When you work with a mediator, you have much more control over your future and the decisions about how your divorce is managed. For many couples and families, this can be extremely positive. In fact, your mediator will not make the decisions in your case but will facilitate a guided discussion and allow you and your spouse to come to a consensus on how you want to settle your divorce. It is amazingly effective.
Minnesota Divorce Mediation Services
It is, of course, important to note that every divorce is different, and some divorce proceedings take longer than others to complete. But one thing is for sure – mediation is much quicker than litigation in nearly 100% of divorce cases. So, if you are hoping to be able to move forward with your lives in the near future, consider reaching out to AMS Mediation at 952-252-1492 to partner with our staff on a confidential and successful divorce agreement.
