Not every marriage ends in bitterness and rancor. In the age of “conscious uncoupling,” some couples in Virginia, while recognizing that their union is no longer tenable, still want to try to end things in a cooperative manner. These couples may find divorce mediation to be an attractive option.
When a couple mediates their divorce, they will work with a neutral mediator to resolve their divorce legal issues. The mediator serves as a facilitator, not a decision-maker. Thus, issues such as child custody and support, spousal support and property division are left entirely in the hands of the couple.
Mediation has several advantages. First, it allows the couple to customize the final divorce settlement so that it meets their specific needs. Mediation can allow couples to reach a faster resolution to their divorce compared to litigating their divorce, which could be a long, drawn-out process. Similarly, some couples find mediation to be less costly than litigating their divorce. Mediation is voluntary and confidential. Therefore, spouses may be more apt to open up and speak honestly without fear that their statements will be held against them or be made available to the public. Finally, mediation can put couples on the right path for future dealings with one another, which can be especially important if they have children.
By helping spouses focus on the core issues in their divorce case during mediation, it is possible to reach an agreement that they both are satisfied with. The mediation section of our law firm’s website may help couples who want to end their marriage in a non-adversarial manner.