Divorce can be a financial double whammy. People have to divide their property with their spouses, which will diminish their personal wealth substantially. They often have to accept a lower standard of living than they enjoyed during the marriage.
They will also have to pay for filing fees and the services of their lawyer. The divorce process can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially if spouses don’t agree on major issues. Litigation in family court tends to significantly increase the final cost for divorce proceedings. Therefore, contested divorces are usually more costly than uncontested proceedings.
Although it may seem counterintuitive at first, many divorcing couples in Texas find that bringing in a secondary outside professional can both speed up their divorce process and reduce how much it costs.
Mediation is a powerful dispute-resolution tool
Couples preparing for divorce are often intensely emotional and have a hard time putting their long-term needs ahead of their short-term emotional struggles. The more that they fight with one another, the more they will typically have to pay. If they cannot resolve their major issues directly, then they will likely end up in family court, asking a judge to set all the major terms for their divorce.
A mediator does add to the total cost for the divorce by bringing in another service provider. However, when mediation is successful, it can significantly reduce how much the spouses pay for their divorce. Successful mediation results in a signed agreement outlining how they will resolve their existing disputes. That agreement leads to an uncontested divorce filing where the spouses have already set the terms for property division and custody matters.
Although they will still need to go to court, the amount of time that they require in front of a judge will be minimal, thus effectively limiting their cost as well. Mediators help facilitate earnest communication about what is necessary for a divorce and can sometimes help people compromise and worth together to resolve their disputes. Mediation can be especially useful for those with children who would like to shield their younger family members from the tension between their parents. Learning more about mediation and other tools can help those preparing for divorce use the best approach for their situation.