Divorces frequently end up in court when financial information is withheld. Paula Pace, a family mediator in New York City, says she recently had to halt mediation for a couple because the husband wouldn't agree to have his business appraised. That causes their divorces to cost them so much more money. Mediators, who are often lawyers themselves, can help you and your spouse work out the entire settlement, or at least resolve the thorniest issues. Lawyers, left to negotiate, can sometimes be such zealous advocates for their clients that divorce can take longer, be more grueling, and be much more expensive.
Mediation can also provide time for a shell-shocked spouse to absorb what is happening.
She says she'll meet with a couple for one or two hours every couple of weeks, and the settlement will be drawn up after four to eight sessions have been held. Once you've arrived at a settlement, a lawyer can review it to make sure it matches up with your legal rights and create a document in legalese. Sooner or later, most people who are going through a divorce will be happy to do whatever they can to reduce the cost and the duration of the unhappy event. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.