When it is clear that you and your spouse have no choice but to divorce, you may assume that hiring a divorce attorney is the next logical step. Litigation has been the traditional method for settling a divorce for those all around the country for many years. However, for many couples, there is another viable option that can keep the divorce proceedings from costing you a fortune and taking months (or longer) before you and your divorcing spouse can move forward. Divorce mediation is a highly effective alternative to the court system that allows you to settle all aspects of a divorce including child/spousal support payments, division of property and even child custody issues. The team at Johnson Mediation offers family focused and affordable divorce mediation services to couples in Chanhassen, Bloomington and Richfield, MN.
Save Money and Time With Divorce Mediation
When you and your partner decide to divorce, one of the first questions that is usually asked is how much will a divorce cost. Hiring an attorney to help you settle important aspects of your divorce can be extremely expensive. You each will pay an attorney by the hour, and when it is all said and done, a divorce that proceeds through the courts can cost upwards of $15,000, including all attorney fees. Mediation can help you solve these same issues, at a much lower cost, both financially and emotionally. Divorce mediation costs anywhere between two and ten times less than litigation and offers several other important benefits including:
- Both parties very often achieve a better outcome: Mediation allows for creative solutions to complex problems that are unique to you and your family. This flexibility often leads to better solutions for both parties.
- Models positive, cooperative behavior for your kids: Divorce is just the beginning of a new chapter in the life of your family. Mediation lays a strong foundation for future co-parenting after divorce.
- Entirely confidential: Rather than airing all of your personal issues in front of a court, the mediation process is protected, meaning that what you say in a mediation session cannot be used as evidence in court.
- Takes less time: When you hire lawyers and proceed through the court system, you can expect that finalizing your divorce will take months. In mediation, the divorcing couple has a series of mediation sessions with a neutral, third party mediator, each lasting about 2 hours. The entire mediation process can usually be completed in 3 or 4 sessions or a matter of 6-8 weeks.
Benefits of Choosing Mediation Over Traditional Court Battle
Johnson Mediation understands that divorce is difficult, emotion, complex and likely not the outcome you wanted for your marriage. If you would like more information about whether mediation might be an option that will work for you and your family, call our team today at (952) 401-7599.
