Divorce is never easy, but there’s no reason to make it even more difficult by taking it to court. For those Colorado couples who want a less confrontational way to dissolve their marriage, divorce mediation may be the right decision. Mediation is an alternative to the adversarial nature of traditional divorce. Couples who enter litigation can spend more time in court battling issues that could easily be solved during mediation.
Mediation, required by Colorado law, is a productive way to resolve divorce conflicts. The process is facilitated by a neutral third-party mediator who helps couples negotiate issues so the marriage can end amicably. Mediation can resolve disputes ranging from child custody and parenting time to the division of marital assets without going to court.
A few advantages of divorce mediation
Working with a mediator might be the best way for some couples to get a divorce with as little conflict as possible. If you are considering divorce, here are some compelling reasons to choose mediation:
- Divorce mediators usually disclose all costs and fees upfront. This is in contrast with the unpredictable expense of traditional divorce. Mediation seeks to limit the time and expense associated with litigating a case through trial.
- Everything discussed during mediation negotiations is private and confidential. By avoiding the eye of the public court, couples’ issues such as assets, liabilities and child custody are kept private.
- Spouses have control over the divorce settlement and have the final say over the terms of the agreement, not a judge. Since couples work together to create their arrangement, they generally find greater satisfaction than those who go to trial.
- When a dispute arises between couples, the mediator works to facilitate open and respectful lines of communication. Mediation encourages cooperation, so it’s generally less confrontational than litigation.
The collaborative decision-making nature of mediation can benefit a couple’s relationship post-divorce. Mediation teaches couples practical communication tools that can help them for years to come.