Not all couples going through a divorce in Lafayette are looking forward to the process. After all, there are likely bad feelings and resentment between the couple. But does a divorce necessarily mean that the parties will be duking it out in court in front of a judge? Not always, especially if the parties choose an alternative way to settle their divorce.
What is divorce mediation?
Divorce mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution in Indiana. Instead of going before a judge in court, the parties will meet with a neutral third-party mediator.
The mediator oversees negotiations between the parties by facilitating discussions between the parties with the goal of settling their issues without going through the litigation process. The end result of mediation is a settlement agreement that can then be approved by the court.
What are the benefits of divorce mediation?
Mediation has the benefit of generally being a quicker, less-expensive alternative to litigation. Statements made in mediation are confidential, which may make each side more open to engaging in honest conversations. Also, mediation by its nature encourages negotiation.
Those who use mediation are often more satisfied with the outcome of the process because they had more of a say in it. Not all couples going through a divorce are interested in “winning” or “losing.” Instead, they want to go through the process of divorce in a way that sets them up for a better future moving forward as individuals.
Even if some divorce issues remain on the table following divorce mediation, it can still be a beneficial way to address the many aspects of divorce.