These panels are helpful because they can give the parties an independent assessment of the case from someone other than the lawyers involved. Often the parties can reach agreement then and there. I bring a laptop computer to court so that I can prepare the paperwork immediately and prepare a final judgment based on the agreement. That way, the parties can be divorced right away. I encourage all clients to reach agreement on their divorce disputes, because even if the parties are not happy, at least the agreement is voluntary, and the outcome is not imposed by the judge.
Voluntary agreements have a better chance of lasting for that reason.
That way, the divorce can be finalized right then and there. In many cases, the parties will want a divorce for separation, which would not be available until months later. In that event, the parties should enter into a written separation agreement in which all outstanding issues can be resolved. At the time the divorce is granted, once all issues have been revisited and resolved to the satisfaction of the parties, the judge incorporates the agreement into the final judgment of divorce. The primary consideration is the relative financial situation of the parties.