They then enter into a written agreement signed by both parties. In such an uncontested case, a divorce can become final in a matter of a few weeks. Other couples disagree on some issues, work out their differences, and appear for a final hearing with a suggested settlement which is accepted by the judge. Mediation is a procedure to assist you and your spouse in working out an arrangement for reaching agreement without a protracted process. Its purpose is not to save a marriage, but to help divorcing couples in reaching a solution to their problems and arriving at agreeable terms for handling their dissolution.
Many counties have mediation procedures available.
Some are mandatory. The judge makes the final decision on con tested issues. The experience can be emotionally devastating. The financial upheaval of supporting two households instead of one causes hardship for the entire family. Husband and wife are responsible, however, for filing all necessary documents correctly, and husband and wife are required to appear before a judge together when the final dissolution is granted.