The primary benefit you can expect from mediation is that the cost of your divorce will be lower than if you choose the traditional litigation route. When divorcing couples choose mediation[CK1], they can freely discuss difficult, financial issues, such as child custody and spousal support, without fear that what they say will ever be used against them in court. • Where the children will reside and custody and visitation plans • How to equitably divide property, assets, and valuables • How child and spousal support payments will be handled • Decisions about shared investment property and business ventures
You can expect a neutral, third-party mediator to keep sessions focused on productive dispute resolution. The mediator does not make decisions for the parties, protect their legal interests, or advise them how to resolve their difficulties. The parties decide the terms and fairness of their agreement themselves, or with the help of their attorneys.
If an agreement cannot be reached and the case must proceed to court, both parties must find new lawyers to represent them and start from scratch. Therefore, the parties have financial incentives to push towards an equitable settlement.
You can also expect to arrive at decisions and compromises on the following kinds of hot button issues:
• Where the children will reside and custody and visitation plans • How to equitably divide property, assets, and valuables • How child and spousal support payments will be handled • Decisions about shared investment property and business ventures
As a mediator, I believe that it's hard to go wrong doing a mediated divorce. The cost benefits are staggering, your children will do better, and you are more likely to get what you want. See that statistics at "Mediation--Good For Me, Good For You, and--Above All--Good for the Kids" at http://candidaabrahamson.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/mediation-good-for-me-good-for-you-and-above-all-good-for-the-kids/.
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