4 reasons that older couples opt for divorce mediation
If you and your spouse have decided to divorce following a long marriage, you likely wish to avoid the stress of a public proceeding in court.
Mediation is an alternative to litigation that is popular with older couples. Here are four reasons that many people over the age of 50 find this a more agreeable option.
1. Conserving money
In a traditional divorce in court, the divorcing couple will hire their own attorneys and often engage the services of professionals such as financial advisers and business appraisers. The expenses will only increase with the length of the process, which often takes months if not years. Mediation reduces costs since it is a much quicker divorce option during which couples work with a single mediator.
2. Minimizing disputes
Litigation often becomes contentious. A mediator keeps couples on track as they develop their divorce settlement agreement, thereby minimizing conflict. The atmosphere is respectful, and cooperation and open communication are the keys to success.
3. Saving time
For older couples, time is a precious commodity. They do not want to drag out their divorce. Mediation allows them to complete their divorce in a timely fashion so they can move on to the next chapter of their lives.
4. Making major decisions
As part of your mediation journey, you and your spouse can work out major decisions. These might include matters related to alimony, social security, retirement accounts and inheritances. You may be facing a high-asset divorce, but that does not point to the need for a court proceeding. Wealthier couples appreciate the privacy that mediation affords as well as the reduction in time, expense and litigation-related acrimony.