A divorce is one of the most stressful events that you will experience in your lifetime. However, you may be able to make the process of ending your New York marriage less stressful by working with a mediator. This may be especially true if you have children or have significant assets that you would like to protect.
Mediation can be an affordable alternative to litigation
It can cost up to $40,000 to settle a divorce through litigation, and there is a chance that you will have to spend more time and money in court after a divorce decree has been issued. This is because you give up control of what the final settlement looks like when you ask a judge to resolve issues between yourself and your spouse. Therefore, there is an increased likelihood that you or your spouse will challenge the terms of the settlement or ask that they be modified in the future. In some cases, you could spend as little as $1,500 to negotiate divorce terms with the help of a mediator.
Dissolve the marriage quicker by opting for mediation
It can take up to two years to dissolve a marriage through litigation. However, it can take as little as two months to complete the divorce process with the help of a mediator. This is because mediation is designed to allow you and your spouse to work together to come to a resolution that you both can be happy with. If you have a child with your former spouse, the communication skills that you learn during this process can make it easier to raise your son or daughter.
Whether you choose to end your marriage through litigation or mediation, it may be a good idea to have a family law attorney help with your case. An attorney might be able to represent your interests in court or review any agreement that you reach during a mediation session.
