Is Divorce Mediation Right For You?

If you are considering divorce in Alabama, you may be dreading having to go to court or the possibility of a highly contentious and drawn out divorce. The good news is, you don’t have to. Divorce mediation is a process that allows you to completely bypass the courtroom, instead having a neutral third party trained in dispute resolution help you and your spouse reach mutually agreeable terms relating to all aspects of your divorce from asset and debt distribution and alimony to child custody and visitation. Once you have arrived at mutually agreeable terms, they will be drafted, reviewed by each of your attorneys, and submitted to the court for approval. Once the court approves them, they will be valid and enforceable just like any other divorce decree.

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation

Many couples, particularly those with shared children, benefit from divorce mediation because it allows them to avoid a highly contentious and dramatic courtroom divorce, while also giving them the tools that they will need to amicably resolve disputes moving forward as they co-parent their children. Divorce mediation also allows the details of the divorce to remain private, as opposed to becoming a matter of public record. Even couples who have never seemed to succeed in agreeing on anything often find it possible to succeed in divorce mediation, where they have not only a neutral mediator trained in dispute resolution to guide them toward mutually agreeable terms, but also their own attorney to advocate for them and ensure that their interests are protected. You can also have your attorney review the final agreement before it is submitted to the court to ensure that it is fair and serves your interests.

How Does the Cost of Divorce Mediation Compare to a Traditional Divorce?

Every divorce is different, and ultimately the number of mediation sessions needed will depend on the complexity of the divorce, the size of the estate, the number of issues that need to be decided, and the degree of contention between the parties. However, the same goes for divorces that must be litigated in court. Except that attorneys charge much higher rates for litigating in a courtroom than they do for accompanying you to a mediation. Some studies have found that a mediated divorce is on average 8-10 times less expensive than a traditional divorce. However, it’s also important to consider the emotional costs that going to court can have both on you and your children. Avoiding a highly contentious and public divorce is a large benefit, as is having control over the outcome. Mediation brings many people peace of mind that going to court does not, as ultimately what the judge decides is always a gamble.

Talk to a Birmingham, Alabama Divorce Mediator

If you are considering a divorce in Alabama or are looking for an alternative to traditional divorce, the experienced Birmingham mediation lawyers at Peeples Law want to hear from you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out whether a mediated divorce is a good fit for your needs.