Are you getting a divorce? If you're like most people, the thought of having a judge decide on everything from property division to child custody is terrifying, and reasonably so. Every family is different and you and your spouse know better than anyone how things should be sorted out.

Divorce is stressful and it can be compared to a battlefield, especially when emotions are raw over recent infidelity or a spouse who gambled away a couple's retirement. Still, there is a better way and it's known as divorce mediation.

Why consider mediation?

Even if your husband ran off with his secretary or your wife fell in love with your best friend, it doesn't mean that you're headed for a "divorce war." No matter what went wrong or why, you and your spouse have the option of setting your differences aside and reaching a settlement with the help of a mediator.

While divorce attorneys prepare you for the worst, mediators are trying to bring out your best. The difference is an adversarial setting vs. a serene one. The daunting courtroom is replaced with a friendlier atmosphere and the shark attorney is replaced with a neutral third party who is seeking mutual, beneficial solutions.

Some of the benefits of mediation, include:

• You'll save a lot of money
• It's less stressful than litigation
• It's better for the children
• Spouses maintain control
• Agreements are tailor-made by the couple
• It's a healthier, less stressful approach to divorce

While mediation is suitable for many couples, it is not for everyone. For example, mediation is not recommended in cases of domestic violence (spousal abuse and/or child abuse).

In the absence of abuse, mediation is often the smart choice for both spouses. Quite distinct from divorce litigation, mediation is a less stressful way to dissolve your marriage and this not only applies to you, but to your friends and family as well.

To learn more about divorce mediation, contact a family law attorney in our directory!