Sadly, too often the litigation or correspondence which follows separation make matters infinitely worse. Direct communication between the couple can break down, replaced with an extraordinary system of 'Chinese whispers' so that they only communicate through their representatives. Each re-interpretation of what they first said is an opportunity for further misunderstanding. Sooner of later all the problems will have to be solved - either by the couple agreeing what is to happen between them or by a Judge. Usually the couple manage to settle their differences and if not, they often wish they had.
Negotiated settlements have a higher satisfaction and lower failure rate than imposed decisions.
Mediation can provide a set of solutions tailored to meet your particular problems. The process is designed to ensure you negotiate your own settlement in context of full information about possible options and with documents proving all relevant facts and circumstances. The decisions and outcomes are yours. I believe that the arrival of mediation is the best development in the resolution of family disputes for decades. When people realise they can solve their differences with the help of mediation, there will be a revolution in the way we deal with family breakdown.