There are numerous stigmas surrounding divorce, including that it must be a battle between the spouses. However, the reality is that there are no winners in a high-conflict divorce, and if you have children, this can be severely detrimental to them.
Consequently, divorcing couples have started to look into more peaceful alternatives, and divorce mediation is one of these. Mediation aims at finding equitable solutions for all parties while keeping conflict to a minimum.
Outlined below are some of the key reasons why you may want to consider divorce mediation.
Protecting your children from harm
Studies indicate that contentious divorces can have a negative impact on the long-term emotional health of children. Children have a tendency to blame themselves, and if they see their parents fighting, this could hurt them tremendously.
Since mediation focuses on constructive discussions with fair outcomes for all parties, this can help to significantly reduce conflict during divorce proceedings. The knock-on effect of this is that children are spared from having to witness their parents going to war.
Keeping sensitive matters private
Litigated divorce proceedings generally become a matter of public record. There may have been issues in your marriage that you would rather keep private. Mediation affords you the opportunity to do this. Only those directly involved in the meetings have access to sensitive information, and mediators have a duty not to spread this elsewhere.
If you get mediation right, it could save you time, money and a lot of stress. You still need to have legal guidance behind you though to make sure you are getting the best possible settlement in the circumstances.