Couples in Connecticut often assume that divorce will inevitably involve a protracted, frustrating conflict. That is true in many cases. Spouses can’t find a way to cooperate and end up litigating in family court over property division, alimony and custody matters. However, many couples are able to divorce with dignity because they choose less contentious approaches. Even in scenarios where there are still intense feelings, spouses can sometimes agree to cooperate with one another as they navigate the divorce process.
Divorce mediation is one of the tools that married couples in Connecticut can use to resolve divorce-related disputes. Mediation was once relatively rare but has become increasingly common. Why do so many couples turn to mediation as they prepare to file for divorce?
To have control over the outcome
Litigated divorces are stressful in no small part because people never know what a judge might decide about their situation. A judge’s ruling in a litigated Connecticut divorce can affect everything from someone’s future finances to their relationship with their children. Many people do not feel comfortable giving someone else control over those important decisions. Spouses who successfully meet mediate sign binding agreements and can typically proceed with uncontested divorces. They have the final say in the terms of their divorces.
To preserve their privacy
When spouses disagree about certain aspects of a divorce, it is often because of specific reasons. Maybe there is a dispute about property division because of how much one spouse spent on an extramarital affair. Perhaps one spouse wants the other to have limited parenting time because of their drinking problem. The confidentiality laws that govern mediation in Connecticut help preserve the privacy of spouses who have to talk about difficult marital details to reach a reasonable conclusion in their divorces.
To keep costs low
Although mediation typically entails bringing in an outside professional to help with negotiations, at extra expense can often be a smart investment. Uncontested divorces frequently cost far less than litigated divorces, so the money spent on mediation ultimately helps reduce the total cost of the divorce process.
For people in a large number of different situations, mediation might be the best potential solution for resolving divorce-related concerns.