Whether a couple has been together for a year or a decade, relationships have lengthy backstories. Few people realize that, when going to trial, the judge only hears from each side for less than four hours per day of the trial. This might seem like a sufficient amount of time but these minutes tick by quickly. After several days, the judge then renders a decision that affects parties for years to come. In the case of mediation and arbitration, there is much more time spent on cases in a face-to-face setting. These meetings can often last for 10-12 her per day, allowing for more in-depth, personalized discussions.
There are many reasons why mediation, arbitration or a parenting co-ordinator are a better option than trial: affordability, timely resolutions, private sessions, confidentiality, accessibility and can often help to preserve the interrelationship between separating parties. The cost of mediation services is often less than litigation proceedings and often offer flexible schedules accommodating evenings and weekends, as well as regular working hours. There are no spectators to the mediation and discussions are held in confidence to the opposing party or those outside the process. Resulting decisions can be filed in court and enforced like a court order.