Fairfax, Virginia Family Law Attorney Discusses The Advantages Of Mediation In Divorce

Some divorces in Virginia are resolved very quickly. The two parties may understand that it isn't to either's benefit to have their divorce lawyers fight a protracted legal battle in the Virginia courts. However, not everyone is this fortunate, and it only requires one recalcitrant spouse to drag out the divorce process. When this happens, the cost of the divorce can increase several-fold. That's why so many family law attorneys, like myself, advocate the resolution of disputes through mediation when possible.

Mediation in Divorce

Mediation is a non-binding process where the two spouses meet with an impartial third party-usually a family law attorney or a retired judge. They parties meet with a mediator alone or with their attorney's present to discuss possible resolutions of the issues. The goal is to identify ways in which the two parties can resolve their differences. Depending on the structure and agreed upon rules of the mediation, the spouses' respective attorneys may or may not be present. Mediation can be used to resolve disputes with regards to the division of assets/debt, alimony, child custody, visitation, and child support.

Advantages to Mediation

Although mediation lacks the enforceability of a judicial order, there are several benefits to resolving your issues through mediation:

• Cost - You and your spouse are able to control the expenses incurred by mediation. Usually the cost of mediation is a fraction of what you might pay for litigation. In any event, if the mediation does not appear to be working, you can end the session(s) and limit your cost.
• Control of Scheduling - You and your spouse can set the times of the meetings for when they're convenient for you. If you try to settle your dispute through the courts, you and your attorney will be required to show up when the judge schedules your hearings.
• Flexibility - Negotiating through a mediator allows you to come to arrangements that fit your needs and the needs of your spouse. If you take your case to court, the judge will be more restricted in what he can allow in the divorce settlement.

All dissolutions of marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia are different, but many parties who are seeking divorce have had an enormous amount of success with mediation. For further information, ask your family law attorney about the advantages of mediation to resolve divorce disputes.

Virginia Family Law Attorney Claudia Zucker

Do you need a divorce and family law attorney? Do you have questions about your mediation in a Northern Virginia Divorce Proceeding? We invite you to contact us today at (703) 596-1005. We're always just a phone call away.