Litigated Divorce Alternative: Consider Mediation

 Posted on April 10, 2014 in Divorce

Is there such a thing as a hassle-free divorce? Probably not, given the emotional, financial, and legal difficulties that follow in the wake of a divorce. However, that does not mean you and your divorcing spouse are destined to spend tens of thousands of dollars in court fighting over such trivial questions as who gets the family lawn chairs. In Illinois, there are a number of options to help your divorce be as conflict-free and cost effective as possible.

Mediation in Illinois A growing number of divorcing couples choose mediation. Divorcing spouses in Illinois may choose to use a mediator to help negotiate one or more aspects of their divorce. Mediation has a number of benefits, including the following:

• Cost Benefits - The mediation process can save you money, especially compared with the prospect of an expensive, drawn-out court battle. You and your divorcing spouse may split the cost of the mediator.
• Time Savings - Mediation offers a more rapid way to solve your divorce-related disputes than litigation. If you choose to go to court, it can take a year or more just to get a court date, and several years longer if either party appeals the decision. For couples who wish to move past the divorce as quickly as possible and start their new lives apart, mediation is an attractive option.
• Relationship Preservation - As a less contentious forum than a courtroom, mediation offers an opportunity to negotiate a divorce while still preserving some kind of relationship with your ex-spouse. For divorcing couples who will need to have regular contact even after the divorce--for example, when future decisions will need to be made regarding the care of a child--mediation can help end the marraige on amicable terms.
• Mutual Satisfaction - The goal of mediation is to reach an agreement that both sides can live with. This differs from the winner-take-all court system, in which each side presents an argument and then the judge decides who wins and who loses. Additionally, mediation offers an opportunity to address extra-legal issues that are not ordinarily susceptible to determination by a court. When couples play a part in negotiating their divorce agreements, they often feel happier about the results.

Even in a Mediation, You Need The Help of An Attorney Even if you choose to use a mediator to help negotiate your divorce agreement, it is essential that you speak with a skilled Illinois attorney. Those individuals who do not understand their rights in a divorce may end up disappointed and hurt from a mediation. Further, an attorney can help you select the right mediator, explain the mediation process, and even attend the mediation with you. Contact a Divorce Mediation Attorney If you are considering divorce and have questions about how to preserve your legal rights while ending your relationship with your spouse as amicably as possible, it is vital that you contact a skilled family law attorney. The professionals at Goostree Law Group are dedicated to helping individuals involved in divorce proceedings understand their rights and reach the outcomes they desire. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We work with families in Kane County, DuPage County, Kendall County, and many nearby communities.