If you choose mediation for your Washington divorce, you should be aware of the pros and cons to the mediation process so that you can assess whether mediation is the best choice for you.
Advantages of Divorce Mediation
While Washington State divorce mediation is not the ideal answer for all divorcing couples, many find that it has a number of distinct advantages over going to divorce court. First and foremost, medication is often significantly less expensive and faster than litigation. Secondly, mediation is a private and confidential process than can often be easier on a couple’s children. In addition, mediation has been shown to improve communication between ex-spouses in the years after a divorce. Finally, many people appreciate the amount of control they have in making their own decisions about property, child custody, and spousal support.
Disadvantages of Divorce Mediation
First and foremost, it is important to understand that mediation simply does not work for some couples. Couples who cannot find a way to communicate properly, compromise, and come up with an agreement regarding the division of property and a parenting plan will have to have a judge decide what is fair. When mediation fails, your divorce will return to the court system and you will likely lose time and money.
Secondly, mediation may cause the problems between you and your spouse to surface. Some couples divorce because of issues with communication, troubles with finances, or just because their personalities conflict. Divorce mediation requires that both partners are able to put aside feelings and work out the details of their divorce. This can be emotionally difficult—and sometimes prevents mediation from working at all.
Thirdly, both you and your spouse must be honest and trustworthy. Mediation requires both husband and wife to openly share the details of their financial lives, be honest about what they need and want, and to speak the truth. It is easier for a partner to hide assets during mediation or for the final settlement to favor one person over the other. If you or your partner does not completely adhere to the mediation process, it may not work well for you.
Contact Our Family Law Attorneys in Bellevue
Would you like legal guidance during your Washington divorce mediation? Contact the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny today to schedule an appointment with an attorney: 425-460-0550.
