If you or someone you know is struggling with the harsh emotions and consequences of divorce, mediation offers many benefits. Mediation can save money . By working on issues in mediation, couples reduce the billable time their lawyers need to spend on the case. However, mediation does not usurp the role of lawyers. Spouses in mediation are encouraged to consult lawyers to review the mediation agreement or if they have legal questions.
Mediation can save time .
Although mediations vary from couple to couple, an average couple can reasonably expect to resolve all major issues in five to eight sessions. A couple with no children and little property should reach agreement in half the time. By contrast, two lawyers in a contested divorce would likely take much longer to negotiate a settlement on the same range of issues, according to Lovenheim. Although a couple must wait the requisite legal time period to file for divorce, mediation early on allows the spouses to resolve their issues quickly. This, in turn, sets in motion a rapid, uncontested divorce.