The Many Benefits of Keeping Your Divorce Out of Court

Though daytime TV may suggest otherwise, most divorces do not go to court. In fact, only about five percent of divorce cases in America make their way to a courtroom.

Unless you have an incredibly complicated case or one involving multiple extenuating circumstances, there’s a good chance your divorce will be settled through mediation. And while you may think taking your soon-to-be-ex to court will help you get the most out of your divorce, there are a lot of good reasons why it’s in your best interest to avoid going to court.

The Benefits of Mediation

Saves Time

One of the most enticing benefits of mediation is the fact that it tends to offer faster results. Rather than having your lawyers speak to each other, you and your partner can discuss your concerns (with the assistance of a mediator, of course) and come to a decision. This saves you from having to wait weeks, sometimes months, for lawyers to get in touch with one another or a judge.

Cost-Effective

Divorces can be notoriously costly — a major determining factor regarding how “expensive” your divorce will be is how long it takes to go from filing to actually being divorced. As we mentioned above, mediation tends to move the process along more quickly because both parties are trying to come to a mutual agreement.

The sooner you and your partner agree to the terms of a divorce, the sooner it can be signed by a judge and finalized.

Privacy

If you take your case to court, many of the details discussed will be public record. This means that anyone can read the intimate details of your divorce. Mediation, however, is private. Because your conversations are confidential, you can feel confident confiding in your mediator and working towards the best possible outcome for yourself, your partner, and your children.