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Mediation Divorce Provides an Alternative for Couples

Wednesday, June, 22, 2011


Advantages of Mediation Divorce Well Worth Considering

Mediation divorce is a concept many people may never have heard of, but it is becoming a more and more popular option for couples realizing that they need to bring their marriage to an end.  In the United States, there are two basic methods for arranging a divorce: a court-based divorce and a mediated divorce.  Both kinds end up in court in the end, since only a judicial act by the state can officially terminate the legal recognition of a marriage relationship.  The key difference between court-based divorces and mediation divorces is what happens before the couple's marriage is officially terminated.

Mediation Divorce is a Non-Antagonistic Process

In a court divorce process, the husband and wife present their claims and arguments in divorce court, each one trying to capture as much property as possible for their own use.  This has two serious drawbacks.  Firstly, it is somewhat risky since a judge will make the final determination and he might tend to sympathize more with one spouse or another; this will disadvantage the other spouse.  Secondly and perhaps more importantly, the very process is highly antagonistic. 

This antagonism can lead to stress not just for the husband and wife involved, but also for any children of the marriage.  A better option is a divorce mediation process, in which the husband and wife meet privately, and with the help of a mediation attorney, work out their own property settlements that the court merely affirms later. 

Learn more about Divorce Mediation or find a Mediation Attorney at Mediation.com.